Zubair Qureshi
Islamabad
The 34th Trade Expo Indonesia 2019 (TEI) opening on Wednesday, Oct 16 in Bumi Serpong Damai, Banten, near Jakarta offers tremendous opportunities of enhancing business-to-business and trade relations between the two friendly countries of Pakistan and Indonesia.
A delegation of 34 Pakistani traders and business representatives are representing the country at the mega event (Oct 16-20, 2019) in order to explore various areas of mutual trade, cooperation and opportunities.
Besides Pakistan, many other countries are also sending their business leaders, chambers representatives to utilize the event to seek access to other countries’ markets.
Indonesia being the largest Muslim population country (250 million) has provided easy access to Pakistan to over its ASEAN market of $2 trillion and the Pakistani business community is increasingly looking towards Indonesia for a breakthrough in areas other than conventional business.
According to Malik Shahid Saleem, President, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) Pakistan and Indonesia are enjoying cordial relations and there is a need to transform these good relations into thriving bilateral trade, investment and joint ventures between the two countries.
Bilateral trade volume between the two countries has crossed $3.1 billion mark and with increased scope of preferential trade agreement, the trade volume is sure to further enhance, he said.
Meanwhile, media persons, journalists and vloggers are also leaving for Indonesia on Oct 15 (tomorrow) under “Wonderful Indonesia 2019” to discover “wonderful Indonesia” and its touristic attractions. They will also be attending the TEI and highlight trade, tourism, energy, education, telecom, industrial and other sectors potential in their respective fields.
High Commissioner of Indonesia Iwan Suyudhie Amri who is accompanying the trip has noted that their Indonesia visit particularly to TEI would boost bilateral trade and business relations between the two countries. He hoped the business community of Indonesia and Pakistan will avail themselves of this mega trade forum in maximum possible way.
Indonesia is a country of multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multicultural nation which has more than 17,000 islands, more than 300 ethnic groups, more than 700 languages and 6 different major religions.
Traditional Indonesian songs, music, and dances are performed during celebrations, which are liked throughout the world.
While talking to Pakistan Observer, Counsellor, Social and Cultural section of the embassy, Deny Tri Basuki said the familiarization trip scheduled on October 15-25, 2019 was part of the Embassy’s concerted efforts to promote two-way tourism between the two countries. The embassy believes that the upcoming familiarization trip will be highly beneficial in increasing the number of tourists visiting Indonesia and Pakistan in the coming years, said Mr Deny.
