Pakistan, Indonesia Reaffirm Commitment to Expanding Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation at Karachi Business Forum
By Rafiq Vayani
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that Pakistan and Indonesia have enormous potential to strengthen bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, reaffirming the Sindh government’s commitment to facilitating foreign investors, particularly from Indonesia.
He was addressing the Indonesia–Pakistan Investment and Business Forum, jointly organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Pakistan and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Karachi at the Mövenpick Hotel, Karachi. The forum, themed “Advancing Indonesia–Pakistan Economic Partnership: Investment, Trade and Business Opportunities for Shared Growth toward CEPA,” brought together senior government officials, diplomats, business leaders, investors and representatives of chambers of commerce from both countries.
The Chief Minister said Sindh, home to Pakistan’s commercial and financial hub Karachi, offers a highly attractive investment environment backed by modern infrastructure, strategic seaports and a dynamic industrial base. He noted that the provincial government is working on several strategic initiatives, including the Sindh International Financial Centre, large-scale data centres and the development of Keti Bandar Port, aimed at positioning Sindh as a regional hub for trade, investment and financial services.
Murad Ali Shah identified renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, food processing, information technology, logistics and manufacturing among the sectors offering significant opportunities for joint ventures. He invited Indonesian companies to explore investment opportunities in Sindh and assured them of the provincial government’s full support.
Addressing the forum, H.E. Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Chandra W. Sukotjo, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Pakistan, said the time had come to transform the 75-year-old friendship between Pakistan and Indonesia into a stronger economic partnership driven by trade, investment and industrial collaboration.
He noted that bilateral trade has exceeded US$4 billion, but said the existing volume remains well below the true economic potential of the two countries. He emphasized the need to enhance investment flows, promote balanced trade and strengthen private-sector partnerships.
The ambassador described Indonesia as Southeast Asia’s largest economy and a gateway to the ASEAN market, while highlighting Pakistan’s strategic location linking South Asia, Central Asia, China and the Middle East. He invited Pakistani businesses, investors and trade bodies to participate in Trade Expo Indonesia 2026, scheduled to be held in Jakarta in October, describing it as an ideal platform for expanding commercial ties.
Earlier, H.E. Mudazakir, M.A., Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Karachi, said the forum reflects Indonesia’s continued commitment to bringing the business communities of both countries closer together and translating long-standing diplomatic relations into practical economic cooperation.
He said the Consulate General has been actively facilitating business delegations, investment consultations, trade promotion initiatives and direct engagement between companies from Pakistan and Indonesia. He stressed that sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food processing, energy, tourism and consumer goods offer substantial opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships.
The forum also featured discussions on investment opportunities in Indonesia, Pakistan’s investment.