ISLAMABAD, Dec 9 (APP):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday agreed to enhance bilateral trade, expand cooperation in health, agriculture, Information Technology, science, and education, and deepen coordination on regional and global issues, including Palestine.
In a joint press stakeout along with President of Indonesia Prabowo Subiato at the PM House, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan and Indonesia were committed to boosting bilateral trade, which currently stood at US$4.5 billion, noting that over 90 percent of the total trade comprised of palm oil import from Indonesia to Pakistan.
He said both sides discussed corrective measures to help balance trade between the two countries, including increasing Pakistan’s exports in agriculture, IT-led initiatives, and other sectors.
The prime minister also offered to send doctors, dentists, medical professors, and other health experts to Indonesia to help meet the needs of Indonesian medical universities and hospitals.
“I want to assure you that whatever is possible for us in this regard, we will do it without any delay,” he said.
PM Shehbaz highlighted that bilateral relations between the two countries span over 75 years, noting that their ties predate Pakistan’s independence. He recalled that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had supported Indonesia’s independence movement and said Indonesia stood firmly with Pakistan during the 1965 war.
Referring to regional and global issues, the prime minister praised Indonesia’s stance on Gaza and said it was time for the international community to act to stop the ongoing bloodshed. He expressed confidence that the bond between the two countries would continue to grow and that President Prabowo’s visit would take relations to “new heights.”
President Prabowo Subianto thanked the government and people of Pakistan for the warm reception, noting that his aircraft was escorted by Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder jets.
The Indonesian president said the bilateral meeting was productive and resulted in agreements across several areas of cooperation, including trade, education, agriculture, science and technology. He described Islam as a moderate religion that promotes inclusivity and tolerance, adding that Pakistan and Indonesia shared historic and brotherly relations.
President Prabowo welcomed Pakistan’s offer to assist in the health sector, saying Indonesia had vast needs for doctors, dentists, and medical experts, and termed Pakistan’s support strategic and critical. He said he had instructed Indonesian ministers to expedite practical cooperation with Pakistan in multiple fields.
He also said both countries were closely coordinating their foreign policies, particularly on Palestine and Gaza, reaffirming Indonesia’s support for a two-state solution. He added that the foreign ministers of both sides remained in close contact.
Expressing optimism about future ties, President Prabowo invited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit Indonesia to further enhance bilateral cooperation.