Indonesia,Pak business forum urges for finalization of bilateral PITGA,direct flight

WNAM REPORT: The Indonesia and Pakistan Business Forum has urged for finalization of the Pakistan Indonesia Trade and Goods Agreement (PITGA) and started direct flight between both of the countries.
The Indonesia-Pakistan Trade and Goods Agreement will prove to be a milestone in further improving economic and trade relations between the two countries and direct flights between the two countries are very important for mutual economic and cultural integration, speakers said while addressing the forum in Jakarta (Indonesia).
The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Islamabad, in collaboration with the International Creatives Exchange (ICE) and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), and organized “Indonesia–Pakistan Economic Networking Forum 2025 : Building a Shared Future” on the sidelines of 40th Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) 2025.
Business community amongst hundreds of business men and traders attended the Forum, including 70 Pakistani companies entrepreneurs.
Among the attendees from the Indonesian government were Mr. Ricky Eka Virgana Ichsan, Director for South and Central Asia of the Indonesian Foreign Ministry and Mr. Muhammad Iqbal, Deputy Director of Investment Promotion for East and South Asia, Middle East, and Africa of the Indonesian Ministry of Investment/Coordinating Board of Investment, while the business community was represented by Mr. Harman Siswanto, Senior Business leader ,Hasseb Khan, Vice Chairman of Bilateral Committee for Pakistan and Afghanistan of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry;Uzair Nizam, President of Pakistan–Indonesia Business and Cultural Network; Mohammad Bawazeer, Chairman of Bawazeer Group; and Ayub Gaba from K2 Industries, Karachi.
On the occasion , Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan H.E. Mr. Chandra W. Sukotjo said that the current trade volume between the two countries is much less than its potential and the role of the business community is important in increasing it.
The Ambassador said that Halal goods, agriculture, technology and pharmaceuticals are very important in increasing mutual trade between the two countries.
Pakistan is an excellent country for business and the business community of Indonesia and Pakistan wants to play its full role in mutual economic and trade integration between the two countries, he said.
The Indonesian envoy said that the participation of Pakistan’s business community and traders in the “40th Trade Expo Indonesia” is significant, which will provide an opportunity for the business communities of the two countries to come closer.
Chandra said that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and on this occasion, we will have to take important decisions to take forward our mutual economic and trade relations.
Meanwhile Vice Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Bernardino M. Vega urged both sides to move beyond trade numbers by strengthening people-to-people contact and creative collaboration. “The world is changing and business models are also changing. We need to expand our collaborations to be more imaginative and value-added oriented. Indonesia and Pakistan have significant assets, it is the world’s largest Muslim populations as well as the creativity and spirit of collaboration,” he said, highlighting the role of influence as a bridge between the two brotherly countries.
Trade and Investment Attaché of the Embassy of Pakistan, Mr. Naseem Rashed emphasized the Pakistani government’s commitment to facilitating more direct business collaboration between businesses of both countries (B2B engagement). “As two major Muslim nations with a long history of friendship, our economic relationship must reflect that potential. The Pakistani Embassy in Jakarta is committed to helping expand trade, investment, and cultural cooperation,” he said.
Two panel discussions were held during the Forum. Both speakers and participants from Pakistan and Indonesia explored trade opportunities, market access, and joint investment, particularly the development of the Indonesia–Pakistan Trade in Goods Agreement (IP-TIGA) which aims to expand trade coverage and reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers.
During the event, the Ministry of Investment of Indonesia noted that Pakistan ranks third among South Asian investors in Indonesia with $ 36.6 million in the last five years, while emphasized future cooperation in renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and halal industry.
As both brotherly Muslim countries are celebrating the anniversary of bilateral relations this year, two books were launched along with Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed between business entities from both countries. The two books are “75 Years of Indonesia–Pakistan Bilateral Relations: Two Friends, One Spirit,” by Mr. Atta Ul Karim and “Islamabad to Jakarta: A Personal Reflection” by Mr. Shams Abbasi.
Among the MoUs are signed by the International Creatives Exchange (ICE) and Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as that by Harmann Pharmaceutical from Pakistan and PT. Ultra Sakti from Indonesia.
Chairman International Creatives Exchange (ICE) Atta Karim on the occasion highlighted the bilateral trade potential of both the countries and said that business communities of both sides can play their due role for exploiting the bilateral economic and trade potential.