ISLAMABAD, Oct 16 (APP): Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Trade, Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri, has welcomed a visiting Pakistani business delegation at "Trade Expo Indonesia 2026, the 41st Edition" of the country’s flagship trade exhibition, expressing optimism about advancing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), establishing direct air connectivity and expanding bilateral trade and investment between the two brotherly countries. The meeting took place during the five-day trade exhibition in BSD …
Pak, Indonesia explore FTA, direct flights as “Trade Expo Indonesia 2026” opens new business opportunities: Dyah Roro
ISLAMABAD, Oct 16 (APP): Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Trade, Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri, has welcomed a visiting Pakistani business delegation at “Trade Expo Indonesia 2026, the 41st Edition” of the country’s flagship trade exhibition, expressing optimism about advancing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), establishing direct air connectivity and expanding bilateral trade and investment between the two brotherly countries.
The meeting took place during the five-day trade exhibition in BSD City, Jakarta, where the two sides discussed trade liberalisation, business-to-business (B2B) collaboration, investment opportunities and the diversification of bilateral commerce beyond traditional commodities.
The Pakistani business delegation was led by Indonesia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Chandra Warsenanto Sukotjo, and included Haseeb Khan, nominee for Honorary Consul of Indonesia in Punjab (Lahore), senior business representatives Sajjad Wali, Ansar Hayat, Ibrahim Tawab, Ibrar Rathote and Humair, among other participants.
Addressing the delegation, Deputy Minister Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri described Pakistan as a reliable trading partner of Indonesia and welcomed Pakistani businesses seeking new commercial opportunities in the Indonesian market.
The minister said both countries were working towards strengthening economic integration, with an FTA and improved air connectivity among the key priorities for facilitating trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.
“We are negotiating on the FTA, and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is also on board in this regard. We hope to begin technical negotiations soon,” she said, referring to efforts to advance the proposed trade agreement.
The Deputy Minister highlighted the Joint Trade Committee (JTC) framework between the two countries, saying the focus should be on translating existing agreements and plans of action into concrete outcomes.
She emphasised that closer engagement between the business communities of both countries would be essential to achieving meaningful progress.
Widya Putri also encouraged Pakistani companies to use Trade Expo Indonesia as a platform to connect with international buyers, establish commercial partnerships and explore opportunities across a broader range of industries.
While palm oil remains an important component of bilateral trade, she urged businesses to diversify into new sectors and identify additional products and investment opportunities. She also highlighted Indonesia’s interest in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), promoting business linkages and encouraging cooperation in areas including energy and tourism.
The Minister welcomed the nomination of an Honorary Consul for Indonesia in Lahore, Haseeb Khan and stressing the importance of Punjab’s provincial capital as a major economic and commercial centre of Pakistan. She encouraged stronger engagement with Lahore-based businesses and said that facilitating business connections remained an important priority.
She further underscored the importance of direct air connectivity between Pakistan and Indonesia, noting that improved accessibility could facilitate trade missions, tourism, investment and business exchanges.
She encouraged the visiting delegation to build connections with Indonesian companies and explore opportunities through available business platforms.
Indonesia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Chandra Warsenanto Sukotjo, also stressed the need to diversify bilateral trade and deepen economic relations, encouraging Pakistani businesses to explore opportunities beyond palm oil and develop a wider range of commercial partnerships with Indonesian counterparts.
The Ambassador highlighted the potential for stronger business cooperation and referred to five memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed by the Pakistani delegation in different sectors. These included initiatives relating to spices and business incubation, reflecting the delegation’s interest in expanding cooperation across multiple industries.
The also highlighted the contribution of 70 Indonesian Pilots and aviation professionals working with Pakistani commercial airlines, including AirSial and SereneAir, pointing to the potential for greater collaboration in human resources, aviation and connectivity.
Members of the Pakistani delegation called for a more practical and diversified approach to bilateral economic cooperation, including joint ventures, technology transfer, stronger institutional links and the establishment of dedicated business facilitation mechanisms to connect companies on both sides.
They also identified potential cooperation in coffee, coal, nickel and other Indonesian commodities, while highlighting opportunities for Pakistani exports, including onions. Participants stressed that improved market access and closer engagement between businesses could help unlock the considerable potential of bilateral trade.
Humair emphasised the importance of SME cooperation and business incubation, noting that collaboration between entrepreneurial ecosystems in both countries could support innovation, enterprise development and the creation of new commercial opportunities.
Representatives associated with the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) highlighted the potential of Pakistan’s pink Himalayan salt and called for stronger cooperation in the power and energy sectors.
Ibrahim Tawab separately emphasised the importance of direct air connectivity, particularly in promoting tourism and facilitating travel between the two countries. He said improved connections could encourage more visitors to explore destinations such as Bali and strengthen tourism-related business opportunities.
The discussions at Trade Expo Indonesia 2026 reflected a shared interest in building a more diversified and commercially productive Pakistan–Indonesia partnership. With the proposed FTA, direct air links, SME collaboration and new sectoral opportunities on the agenda, both sides expressed interest in strengthening business-to-business engagement and translating diplomatic goodwill into tangible economic outcomes.
The meeting also underscored the significance of Trade Expo Indonesia as an international platform for connecting Pakistani businesses with Indonesian companies and buyers from across the world, creating opportunities for trade expansion, investment and long-term economic cooperation.
