PESHAWAR, March 7: The Indonesian embassy in Pakistan will issue visas to NWFP businessmen on a preferential basis to bolster trade ties between the two countries, Indonesian Ambassador Anwar Santoso said here on Tuesday.

The ambassador said was talking to Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) president Ghazanfar Bilour on Tuesday.

Mr Bilour said that Asian countries, especially the Muslim nations, should encourage free trade in the region to ensure participation of the private sector for cementing trade ties.

He said the business community of NWFP and Indonesia could play an important role in strengthening trade bonds between the two countries. The SCCI chief invited the ambassador to hold exhibitions in Peshawar to display Indonesian products and stressed the need for regular exchange of trade delegations. The ambassador agreed to the proposal of holding exhibitions.—APP