ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Pakistan to Indonesia Sanaullah said Pakistan-Indonesia Preferential Trade Agreement had built up confidence of business community in both countries and bilateral trade was expected to reach a volume of $2 billion from the present level of $1 billion.

The ambassador was talking to Indonesian daily, Republika in Jakarta, said a press release received here on Sunday.

“Signing of trade is certainly moving upwards after the PTA and we are seeing the results,” he remarked.

The Ambassador, when asked about specific sectors for trade promotion, named palm oil, rubber, rubber products, coal and other agro-based products.

He said Pakistan with its vast experience and wherewithal was ready to help boost Indonesia's sugar manufacturing sector which had suffered a slow down lately.

He also asserted that Indonesia needed to ease out its visa regime which he said was the real key to encouraging increased exchanges between business and commerce sectors of the two countries.

“There is a vast reservoir of good will among both the people on which we can further build our all round cooperation,” the Ambassador remarked.

“For that we have to facilitate and encourage exchanges at all levels,” he said.

The Ambassador during his talk dismissed the impression that Pakistan was complacent on militants.

He said Pakistan's contribution in the war on terror was internationally recognized.

“It is a long drawn process and we have to be patient to see the desirable conclusive end to this war,” he added.

Ambassador Sanaullah led an Embassy delegation for a three-hour roundtable with the editorial board of Republika, chiefly focusing on Pakistan-Indonesia relations, Pakistan-US ties and the issue of militancy.