Magazine - Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry

A monthly Magazine of ICCIBUSINESSMagnateImplementation of PTA will open trade doors for Pakistan-Indonesian EnvoyAmbassador of Republic of Indonesia to Pakistan,H.E.Mr.Burhan Muhammad has stated that his prioritieswere to enhance economic cooperation between Indonesiaand Pakistan and to connect the business communities oftwo countries which would further strengthen mutuallinkages between two brother Muslim countries.He highlighted that during his visit to Islamabad Chamberof Commerce and Industry (ICCI). He said that theIndonesia-Pakistan Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA)was a landmark development in the bilateral history of twocountries which will not only raise bilateral trade volume butalso open doors for Pakistani businessmen to penetrate inthe emerging Asean market.The Ambassador apprised that there was some delay in theenforcement of PTA as notification has not been issued yet.He said that in this connection he will also visit Jakarta tomeet Indonesian Trade Minister. He stated that besideseconomic and commercial cooperation, Indonesia alsointended to invest in power projects as well as Pakistan canget benefit of Indonesian expertise in coal sector forproducing electricity. He said that Pakistan and Indonesiaare also negotiating to start a project of Coal Power Plan inKarachi for generating electricity by using domestic coalwhile the rest will come from Indonesia.He said that Indonesia and Pakistan have had a remarkablehistory of brotherly relationship and two countries haveenjoyed sound and steady commercial interaction since lastseveral decades. He said that President of Indonesia,H.E.Mr.Susilo Bambang sent him to Pakistan with specialimpression to improve the trade and economic link betweenthe two countries.Speaking on the occasion, Mr.Zafar Bakhtawari, PresidentICCI gave a detailed briefing to the Ambassador onavailable trade and investment opportunities in Pakistan andsaid that Pakistan also values its relations with Indonesiaand desires to further strengthen the existing relations.He was of the view that Pakistan and Indonesia are loosingZafar Bakhtawari, President ICCI sharing views with H.E.Mr.Burhan Muhammad,Ambassador of Republic of Indonesia to Pakistan on his visit to Chamber House,Saeed Ahmad Bhati, VP of ICCI also present in the meetingthe warmness of their relations which were very strong atthe time of Mr.Sukarno, former President of Indonesia.ICCI President expressed hope that Mr.Burhan Muhammadwith his dynamic vision would bring that era back in therelation of both the countries.Mr.Bakhtawari said that there should be direct air linkbetween Pakistan and Indonesia which would bring businesscommunity of both the countries closer to each other aswell as promote regional connectivity. He said that both thesides must ensure liberal visa policy to enable thebusinessmen get visa easily and meet each other which isimperative to boost trade ties between the two countries.ICCI President termed the existing volume of tradebetween the two countries very low which stood around$1.3billion and stressed that it should be increased up to$5billion. He also informed the Ambassador that ICCI hasplanned to organize Asean Capital Chambers Conference inIslamabad aiming to promote mutually beneficial relationsbetween Pakistan and Asean countriesPakistani Entrepreneurs invited to InternationalTrade Fair in CubaCuba is organizing FIHAV 2013 in November 2013 inHavana, which is the largest annual multi-sector trade fairand Pakistani entrepreneurs should take active part in thisevent to showcase export potential of their products. H.E.Mr. Jesus Zenen Buergo, Ambassador of Cuba made theseremarks during an interaction with local businessmen atIslamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry.He said FIHAV 2013 would be a complete national &rd thinternational exhibition that shall be held from 3 to 9November 2013 in Havana and large number of productsincluding advanced materials, agricultural technology &equipment, food & beverages, automotive, bio-industries,building products, chemicals, consumer products, electricpower equipment & services, information &communications technology, manufacturing technologies,metals, minerals and oil & gas equipment etc. would be putup for display.He said over 3000 companies from 62countries participated in the 2012 edition of FIHAV. Thusthe event offers tremendous opportunity to Pakistanibusinessmen to participate and establish contacts with theircounterparts in areas of interest, exchange experiences and6