Indonesian Ambassador Adam M. Tugio stated, “Indonesian companies areactively exploring investment opportunities within the Special EconomicZones linked to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).” He emphasizedthat Indonesia sees Pakistan as crucial for accessing Central Asiancountries and the broader region.
He further elaborated, “We are in discussions with various Chambers ofCommerce in Indonesia, and many Indonesian firms are contemplatinginvestments in CPEC’s Special Economic Zones. Currently, two Indonesiancompanies have established factories in Faisalabad and Sindh.”
Ambassador Tugio underscored the significance of CPEC, saying, “CPEC is apivotal connectivity project, encompassing not only infrastructure but alsoenergy projects that will greatly benefit Pakistan’s economic and socialdevelopment.”
Discussing bilateral relations, he added, “Pak-Indonesia relations spanacross political, security, economic, social, and cultural domains. Thereis substantial potential for strengthening ties in trade, culture, tourism,education, science and technology, environment, and defense.”
Ambassador Tugio also prioritized economic diplomacy, highlighting thesubstantial scope for boosting bilateral trade. He pointed out, “Since thesigning of the Pak-Indonesia Preferential Trade Agreement in 2013,bilateral trade has tripled, reaching an annual volume of $4.2 billion from$1.3 billion in 2013.”
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He stressed the need for diversifying trade, particularly due to limitedtraded products. For instance, Pakistan imports 75 percent of its palm oilfrom Indonesia and 7 percent of coal. Conversely, Pakistan exportssignificant volumes of textile and leather products to Indonesia. In termsof defense cooperation, he mentioned the possibility of collaboration intechnology, citing Pakistan’s offer of Jet Fighters to Indonesia andprevious interactions between the two countries in this sector.
Ambassador Tugio highlighted the increasing trend of Pakistani studentsstudying in East Asia and the growth in scholarships provided by Indonesiato Pakistani students, reaching 170 scholarships this year, up from 70 theprevious year. Addressing the global challenge of terrorism and extremism,he emphasized cooperation between Pakistan and Indonesia, particularlybetween their counter-terrorism agencies, to enhance their capabilities incombating these threats.
