Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a detailed meeting with the Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan, Chandra Warsenanto Sukotjo, on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to review and advance bilateral trade, investment, and sector-specific cooperation between Pakistan and Indonesia.
\nDuring the meeting, the Federal Minister briefed the Ambassador on Pakistan\u2019s evolving trade strategy, with a particular focus on rice exports, a key priority assigned by the Prime Minister.
\n He noted that Pakistan remains among the world\u2019s leading rice exporters, offering internationally recognized quality, while acknowledging that global price competition\u2014especially following recent market interventions by major producers\u2014has created challenges for exporters. He informed that the government is actively working on financial and commercial mechanisms to enhance price competitiveness without compromising quality, enabling Pakistan to sustain and expand its market share.
\nJam Kamal Khan highlighted Pakistan\u2019s proposal to re-engage selected partner countries, including Indonesia, through both open-market and government-to-government (G2G) frameworks, stressing that price, reliability, and quality are central considerations for importing countries. In this context, he underscored the importance of reviving the Pakistan\u2013Indonesia rice cooperation framework and initiating fresh dialogue to unlock mutually beneficial opportunities.
\nOfficials recalled that a rice MoU signed in 2015\u2014providing for up to one million metric tons of rice procurement annually on a G2G basis\u2014had expired in 2019. Pakistan has already shared a revised draft with the Indonesian side and expressed hope for its early finalization to institutionalize long-term cooperation in the staple commodity.
\nThe Commerce Minister also raised issues affecting agricultural exports, particularly kinnow (mandarin). He noted that Pakistan is awaiting the issuance of import quotas by Indonesia to ensure uninterrupted seasonal exports, warning that delays could result in losses for growers and exporters. Additionally, concern was expressed over the recent increase in food and agricultural testing requirements for Pakistani kinnow, from eight to twenty-four tests, which adds cost and processing time. It was shared that Pakistan\u2019s Department of Plant Protection is already engaged with Indonesian counterparts to address the matter.
\nBeyond agriculture, the meeting explored broader avenues for economic collaboration. Jam Kamal Khan invited Indonesian investors to consider Pakistan as a regional hub for palm oil storage, processing, and onward supply to Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and other markets.
\nHe highlighted Pakistan\u2019s expanding port and logistics infrastructure, operated by leading international firms, and its strategic location as a gateway to emerging regional markets,said a release issued here on Tuesday.
\nBoth sides also discussed prospects in energy, biodiesel, minerals, and infrastructure, including opportunities under Special Economic Zones and the possibility of involving friendly countries in CPEC-linked projects.
\nThe Federal Minister emphasized Pakistan\u2019s readiness to facilitate Indonesian investment through policy support, connectivity, and market access.
\nThe Ambassador of Indonesia welcomed Pakistan\u2019s proposals and appreciated the positive momentum generated by recent high-level exchanges between the two countries.
\nHe assured that the issues raised\u2014particularly on rice cooperation, agricultural market access, and trade facilitation\u2014would be conveyed to Jakarta for consideration, noting Indonesia\u2019s strong interest in food security, diversified sourcing, and competitive pricing.
\nThe two sides agreed to intensify institutional engagement, including the early convening of the Joint Trade and Development Committee and trade forums, as well as virtual consultations to maintain momentum.
\nBoth reaffirmed their commitment to translating longstanding friendly relations into concrete economic outcomes through structured dialogue, timely decisions, and private-sector engagement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a detailed meeting with the Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan, Chandra Warsenanto Sukotjo, on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to review and advance bilateral trade, investment, and sector-specific cooperation between Pakistan and Indonesia. During the meeting, the Federal Minister briefed the Ambassador on Pakistan\u2019s evolving […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":526678,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-526668","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\n