Jakarta (TDI): The Embassy of Indonesia in Islamabad, in collaboration with the Indonesian Consulate General in Karachi, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), and the International Creatives Exchange (ICE), hosted the “Indonesia–Pakistan Economic Networking Forum 2025: Building a Shared Future” on the sidelines of the 40th Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) 2025.
The event brought together hundreds of business leaders and government officials, including over 60 entrepreneurs from Pakistan, to explore new opportunities for trade and investment between the two countries.
Among the attendees from the Indonesian government were Ricky Eka Virgana Ichsan, Director for South and Central Asia of the Indonesian Foreign Ministry and Muhammad Iqbal, Deputy Director of Investment Promotion for East and South Asia, Middle East, and Africa of the Indonesian Ministry of Investment/Coordinating Board of Investment, while the business community was represented by Harman Siswanto, Vice Chairman of Bilateral Committee for Pakistan and Afghanistan of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Uzair Nizam, President of Pakistan–Indonesia Business & Cultural Network; Mohammad Bawazeer, Chairman of Bawazeer Group; and Ayub Gaba from K2 Industries, Karachi.
In his remarks, Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan Chandra W. Sukotjo highlighted the resilience of bilateral trade. “From January to July 2025, Indonesia’s exports to Pakistan reached USD 2.16 billion, or 21.83% increase compared to the same period last year. Yet, our potential remains much greater.” The Envoy urges the Pakistan and Indonesian businesses to explore new areas of cooperation, such as pharmaceuticals, halal industry, renewable energy, digital economy, and agricultural technology.
Vice Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bernardino M. Vega urged both sides to move beyond trade numbers by strengthening people-to-people contact and creative collaboration. “The world is changing and business models are also changing. We need to expand our collaborations to be more imaginative and value-added oriented. Indonesia and Pakistan have significant assets, it is the world’s largest Muslim populations as well as the creativity and spirit of collaboration,” he said highlighting the role of influencer as a bridge between the two brotherly countries.
In his turn, the Trade and Investment Attaché of the Embassy of Pakistan, Naseem Rashed emphasized the Pakistani government’s commitment to facilitating more direct business collaboration between businesses of both countries (B2B engagement). “As two major Muslim nations with a long history of friendship, our economic relationship must reflect that potential. The Pakistani Embassy in Jakarta is committed to helping expand trade, investment, and cultural cooperation,” he said.
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Two panel discussions were held during the Forum. Both speakers and participants from Pakistan and Indonesia explored trade opportunities, market access, and joint investment, particularly the development of the Indonesia–Pakistan Trade in Goods Agreement (IP-TIGA) which aims to expand trade coverage and reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers.
During the event, Ministry of Investment of Indonesia noted that Pakistan ranks third among South Asian investors in Indonesia with USD 36.6 million in the last five years, while emphasized future cooperation in renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and halal industry.
As both brotherly Muslim countries are celebrating the anniversary of bilateral relations this year, two books were launched along with Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed between business entities from both countries.
The two books are “75 Years of Indonesia–Pakistan Bilateral Relations: Two Friends, One Spirit,” by Atta Ul Karim and “Islamabad to Jakarta: A Personal Reflection” by Shams Abbasi. Among the MoUs are signed by the International Creatives Exchange (ICE) and Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as that by Harmann Pharmaceutical from Pakistan and PT. Ultra Sakti from Indonesia.
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Trade Expo Indonesia is an Indonesia’s largest annual international trade exhibition, showcasing the country’s best export products and services. TEI promotes Indonesia as a reliable trade and investment partner, connecting global buyers with Indonesian exporters across various sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, digital economy, and creative industries.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
