The First Indonesia – Pakistan Virtual Trade Exhibition features 110 business meetings done by over 60 companies from both countries In efforts to maintain and continuously promote trade relations amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesian in Karachi organizes the first Indonesia – Pakistan Virtual Trade Exhibition (IPVTE). The program, which will be held from 28 September to 2 October 2020, is done in collaboration with e-Commerce Gateway Pakistan as co-organizer. The exhibition is participated by more than 60 companies from both countries. During the course of the event, participants have scheduled over 110 business meetings for various types of industries such as agriculture, construction, pharmaceuticals, chemical, food, and fisheries. The 1st IPVTE 2020 also provides the momentum for Indonesia to maintain Pakistan’s great potential as one of the country’s priority market, especially for agricultural and FMCG products. The 1st Indonesia – Pakistan Virtual Trade Exhibition was officially opened by the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Karachi, Mr. Totok Prianamto, during the virtual opening ceremony on Monday, 28 September 2020. In the opening remarks, the Consul General stated that IPVTE 2020 was held as an alternative to international trade expos amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which will provide opportunities for business communities from both countries to meet virtually. It is also hoped that the exhibitors will be able to record business transactions which will contribute to increase the overall trade between Indonesia and Pakistan. The Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr. Sheikh Sultan Rehman, and President of the Pakistan – Indonesian Business Forum Mr. Shamoon Zaki were also present in the virtual opening ceremony. Relations between Indonesia and Pakistan are becoming stronger in different sectors of the economy over a passage of time and bilateral trade is also increasing on a year-on-year basis, said Consul General of Indonesia Totok Prianamto. Speaking to journalists, he pointed out that major import items of his country from Pakistan included rice, chemical, raw cotton, wheat, paper, fruits, garments, leather, plastic materials, cotton yarn, cloth, other textile products, sports and surgical goods. “Being an official representative of Indonesia for Sindh, one of the tasks given to me is to further strengthen the economic, trade and investment relations between the two countries,” he said. “Karachi is a very important port for Indonesia especially for trade and investment sectors.” He pointed out that since Karachi was the largest city possessing two sea-ports; it acted as the main entry point for Indonesian products to the Pakistani market. Prianamto said that the business community of Karachi was actively engaged in contacts and meetings with its Indonesian counterparts to boost bilateral trade and economic cooperation in Sindh along with establishing strong people-to-people contacts. “Several trade associations, chambers and businessmen from Pakistan participate in various exhibitions and trade shows in Indonesia,” he added. The Indonesian envoy pointed out that diplomatic relations between the two countries were strong and people of both nations supported and helped each other over the period in different ways and situations.