KARACHI: (Parliament Times)Indonesian Consul General Hadi Santoso has said that the trade volume between Pakistan and Indonesia, which stood at $1.6 billion when he assumed charge as the consul general in November 2014, has risen to almost $2.3 billion in November 2016, when he was about to leave this city after successfully completing his tenure. While exchanging views during his farewell visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Hadi Santoso appreciated the support and cooperation extended by the business and industrial community, particularly the KCCI that helped in achieving numerous objectives throughout his tenure. KCCI President Shamim Ahmed Firpo, Senior Vice President Asif Nisar, Vice President Muhammad Younus Soomro, Diplomatic Missions & Embassies Liaison Sub-Committee Chairman Altaf A Ghaffar, Pakistan-Indonesia Business Forum Chairman Shamoon Zaki and the KCCI Managing Committee members were also present on the occasion. Hadi Santoso further stated that he was pretty impressed to see the overwhelming support and cooperation along with the hospitality of the people of Sindh, especially people of Karachi, who were very keen to strengthen their trade and cultural ties with their brothers and sisters in Indonesia. He said that although trade has been gradually improving but the there was a huge potential to raise the existing trade volume to new heights, which can be done through joint efforts. In this regard, the chambers of commerce in both countries need to play a more vibrant role which would surely yield positive results. He was of the view that rapidly boosting bilateral economic ties between Indonesia and Pakistan offer prospects to further forge the bonds of friendship and to establish broad-based commercial partnership. “Although it is time to say goodbye to my friends and brothers at KCCI, but no matter wherever posted, I will always be available to you”, he said, adding that after spending two years in Karachi, he finds himself more of a Pakistani than an Indonesian. Earlier, President KCCI Shamim Ahmed Firpo, in his remarks, paid glowing tribute to Hadi Santoso for his extraordinary and tireless efforts towards bringing the business and industrial communities of two brotherly countries more close to each other. “We are very grateful to you for your unconditional and all-time cooperation extended to the KCCI, which proved very beneficial and your contribution would always be remembered,” he added. Shamim Firpo said that trade ties between Pakistan and Indonesia have been gradually improving and it was heartening to note that the current trade volume was above $2 billion but there was a need to look for more avenue of cooperation.
Highlighting some of the potential areas, President KCCI mentioned that Pakistani leather manufacturers can explore Indonesian market to import cheaper skins and hides whereas the countries can enhance their bilateral trade by exchanging commodities and the Halal Food industry also holds great potential for enhancing trade. Shamim Firpo particularly appreciated the continuous support being extended by the Indonesian government to Karachi Chamber’s My Karachi Oasis of Harmony Exhibition since its inception in 2004. “Indonesian participation every year adds more colors to this glittering event,” he added. President KCCI, while wishing the outgoing Consul General the best of luck in all his future endeavors, assured that the doors of KCCI would always remain open for him and they look forward to giving him a very warm welcome whenever he visits Karachi.
