Deepen trade ties
Dar says visit comes after presidential exchanges as talks cover IT, trade, AI, defence cooperation
Islamabad
Pakistan and Indonesia on Tuesday agreed to accelerate efforts to transform their existing preferential trade agreement (PTA) into a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) by 2027, aimed at further strengthening bilateral economic ties.
In a post on X by state broadcaster PTV News, the understanding was reached during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and a five-member Indonesian delegation led by Indonesian Minister for Investment and Downstream Industry Rosan Roeslani. Speaking on the occasion, the premier said, “Pakistan and Indonesia share decades-old brotherly relations that continue to grow stronger with time.”
He conveyed his best wishes to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and described the president’s visit to Pakistan last year as highly productive and instrumental in deepening bilateral relations.
PM Shehbaz also recalled his meeting with President Prabowo on the sidelines of the 58th World Economic Forum, noting that Pakistan was keen to further enhance economic cooperation with Indonesia. He expressed Pakistan’s interest in benefitting from Indonesia’s experience with the sovereign wealth fund model.
Roeslani thanked the prime minister and the government for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to the delegation. He conveyed best wishes from President Prabowo Subianto and reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to advancing bilateral relations with Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kiyani, Special Assistants to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and Haroon Akhtar, along with other senior government officials.
FM Dar earlier held delegation-level talks with the minister with discussions focused on strengthening economic and investment ties, reviewing potential collaboration opportunities and mutually beneficial projects, including exchange of best practices and cooperation in priority sectors such as health. Presentations were made outlining Pakistan’s investment landscape, priority sectors and facilitation mechanisms, while also seeking Indonesia’s experience and expertise, including in sovereign wealth fund structures and downstream investment.
