Indonesian Consul General in Karachi Totok Prianamto on Tuesday paid an official visit to the Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI). Reportedly, he stated that Indonesia aimed to nurture and strengthen ties with Pakistan, particularly in the fields of economic, trade, investments and people-to-people contacts, for benefiting both countries. “Sindh is very significant place for Indonesia in terms of trade, economy and investment, and Hyderabad, as the second largest city in the province, is strategically located on the embankments of the Indus River and situated on mid of trade route from Karachi to other cities as well,” he said. He revealed that trade between the two countries has been increasing steadily over several years. “In 2017, trade of US $2.63 billion was recorded between Indonesia and Pakistan, an increase of 21.31 percent as compared to 2016. During the same period, Pakistan’s export to Indonesia was recorded as an increase of 53.32 percent. He further informed that in the first semester of this year, the trade between the two countries has further increased by 19.37 percent, whereas Pakistani export has been recorded as an enormous rise of 148.21 percent. These encouraging figures of course cannot be separated from the development in Sindh, notably in the security sector. He commended the rigorous works of the Pakistani Government and law enforcement agencies to ensure security measures in the province. Security is highly important when it comes to bettering the business climate as better security implies that people will achieve more economic opportunities. He also invited HCCI members to the 33rd Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) to be held on October 24-28, 2018. This year, the TEI is expected to attract more than 28,000 visitors. Earlier, HCCI President Muhammad Shahid, in his welcome address, said that HCCI was highly thankful to the Indonesian Consulate in Karachi for a remarkable effort for promoting trade between the two brotherly countries. However, HCCI extended further support and cooperation in this regard and to achieve an outstanding bilateral trade of US $9 billion by the year 2019 as mentioned by His Excellency Iwan Suyhdhive Amri Ambassador of Indonesia. HCCI aims to export mango, rice and cotton to Indonesia. Besides, HCCI Senior Vice President Muhammad Arif thanked honorable guests including Consul General Economic Affairs Natalia Hardiyati Soeharso, Vice Consul Economic Affairs Yudha Virwanto Bagus Triday and Hyderabad Fateh Group Chairman Gohar Ullah for their visit. Published in Daily Times, September 19th 2018.