Business forum in Karachi highlights investment, trade and long-term cooperation between the two countries
By Shabbir Hussain
KARACHI, July 14 (Alliance News): Pakistan and Indonesia on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to building a stronger, sustainable and investment-driven economic partnership during the Indonesia-Pakistan Investment and Business Forum held in Karachi.
The forum, organised by the Embassy of Indonesia in Islamabad and the Consulate General of Indonesia in Karachi with the support of the Indonesia Investment Promotion Centre (IIPC) Abu Dhabi, brought together senior government officials, investment authorities, business leaders, chambers of commerce, investors and academics from both countries to explore new avenues of trade and investment.
The opening session was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah as chief guest, along with Indonesia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Lt Gen (Retd) Chandra W. Sukotjo, Consul General of Indonesia in Karachi Mudzakir, and Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Acting President Saquib Fayyaz Magoon.
In his welcome address, Consul General Mudzakir said the forum reflected Indonesia’s continued efforts to strengthen business-to-business ties and convert commercial interest into practical economic cooperation.
He described Karachi as Pakistan’s commercial, industrial, financial and maritime hub and reaffirmed the Consulate General’s commitment to facilitating business information, promoting credible partnerships and improving market access between the two countries.
FPCCI Acting President Saquib Fayyaz Magoon highlighted the complementary strengths of Pakistan and Indonesia, noting that together the two countries represent a combined market of more than 520 million people.
He called for greater diversification of bilateral trade, stronger collaboration between private sectors, improved logistics and accelerated negotiations towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to unlock the full economic potential of the relationship.
Delivering the keynote address, Indonesian Ambassador Lt Gen (Retd) Chandra W. Sukotjo urged both countries to transform their longstanding friendship into tangible economic outcomes.
He said Indonesia offered opportunities not only as a consumer market of over 280 million people but also as a manufacturing hub, an attractive investment destination and a gateway to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The ambassador stressed that the proposed CEPA should provide a comprehensive framework covering trade, investment, services, customs procedures, product standards and regional supply chain connectivity.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment for foreign investors and highlighted Sindh’s growing investment opportunities.
He invited Indonesian investors to explore partnerships in manufacturing, agriculture, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, logistics, digital technology, infrastructure and data centres.
The chief minister also encouraged closer collaboration between public institutions and the private sector to expand bilateral economic cooperation.
A symbolic “Resonance of Partnership” gong ceremony marked the opening of the forum, reflecting the shared commitment of Pakistan and Indonesia to deepen practical economic engagement.
The business dialogue featured presentations by Indonesian officials and industry representatives highlighting investment opportunities, trade prospects and private-sector collaboration across multiple sectors.
The event concluded with business networking sessions aimed at facilitating partnerships and encouraging direct engagement between Pakistani and Indonesian companies.
Participants agreed that both countries should move beyond traditional trade and focus on long-term investment, industrial cooperation, technology transfer and sustainable economic growth.
The forum reaffirmed the shared resolve of Pakistan and Indonesia to further strengthen bilateral economic relations and promote mutually beneficial partnerships that contribute to regional prosperity.
