ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has urged Indonesia to finalise a government-to-government (G2G) memorandum of understanding (MoU) for rice exports at the earliest, officials said on Tuesday.
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The matter was discussed during a meeting between Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan Chandra Warsenanto Sukotjo. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has tasked the commerce minister with exploring export opportunities for rice and kinnow in Indonesia.
Pakistan–Indonesia revive rice trade.
Indonesia imported ~$470m of Pakistani rice in 2024. pic.twitter.com/eskYu84fXV— Mansoor Ahmed Qureshi (@MansurQr) January 20, 2026
The original rice MoU, signed in 2015, allowed for up to one million tonnes of rice procurement annually under a G2G framework but expired in 2019. Pakistan has now shared a revised draft with Indonesia, emphasising the need for early finalisation to institutionalise long-term cooperation in the staple commodity.
Commerce Minister Jam Kamal briefed the ambassador on Pakistan’s evolving trade strategy, highlighting rice exports as a key priority identified by the prime minister. He underlined that Pakistan remains one of the world’s leading rice exporters, offering internationally recognised quality.
However, the minister acknowledged global price competition and market interventions by major producers have created challenges for Pakistani exporters. He said Pakistan is keen to re-engage selected partner countries, including Indonesia, through both open-market and G2G frameworks.
“Price, reliability, and quality are central considerations for importing countries,” Mr Kamal said, stressing the importance of ensuring Pakistan’s rice remains competitive in international markets while maintaining long-term bilateral trade partnerships.
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Officials noted that early finalisation of the MoU would help provide a stable platform for exporters and reinforce Pakistan’s position in key Asian rice markets.