QUETTA, Jul 29 (APP): Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to Pakistan, Rahmat Hindiarta Kusuma on Monday said that the current annual bilateral trade between Pakistan and Indonesia is $4.5 billion, which is much less than its potential and needs to be further increased.
“In Pakistan, economic diplomacy and people to people contact is the main priority of the Indonesian government and our visit to Balochistan is a part of this agenda,” Charge d’Affaires said during his visit to Quetta Press Club here.
President, QPC along with senior journalists received the Indonesian delegation.
Talking to the media, the Indonesian top diplomat said, during his visit to Quetta, he came to know the real potential of the country that lies in the province of Balochistan. “ If explored, this could prove to be an important factor in the mutual relations between Pakistan and Indonesia.
He said that his visit to Balochistan is a part of economic diplomacy, which aims to increase relations and links with the local business community and the private sector.
Apart from visiting the press club, he said, I have visited the local markets for people to contact people, that increased his knowledge about the local culture.
“We have invited the business community of Balochistan to participate in the trade expo to be held in Indonesia in October, Mr Rahmat said adding that this trade expo is one of the biggest business activities in the world in which businesses from 116 countries will participate.
To a question, Indonesian diplomat said, there are 400 Pakistani students studying in Indonesia on scholarship and the government is mulling over to increase the number of students in future.
In response to another question, he said that there are ample opportunities for students of Balochistan to study in Indonesia and get scholarships.
He said that Indonesia is an emerging economy where there are opportunities for Pakistani businessmen and efforts are being made on both sides in this regard.
He said that Indonesia and Pakistan are bound in historical religious and cultural ties and so are our economic and trade relations.
Recalling the historic bond shared by both countries, he said the founders of both countries, Ahmad Sukarno, the founder of Indonesia, and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, were very good friends, and during their time, the foundation of the relationship between the two countries was very strong.
“We need to transfer this legacy to the younger generation; Charge d’Affaires of the embassy of the Republic of Indonesia said hoping that it will strengthen the relations between the two countries.
Stressing the need for strengthening the bilateral ties between two brotherly Islamic countries, he remarked “the media of both countries should play their pivotal role for the strengthening of mutual relations,”.