Zubair Yaqoob
The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Karachi hosted a high-level business luncheon aimed at deepening trade and investment ties between Indonesia and Pakistan, bringing together leading members of Pakistan’s business community for discussions on economic cooperation, investment opportunities, and future partnerships.
Held at Wisma Indonesia in Karachi under the theme “Taste of Opportunity: A Deep Dive into Indonesia Trade and Investment,” the event gathered nearly 30 business leaders, investors, representatives of chambers of commerce, trade associations, and business councils. The forum reflected growing momentum in commercial engagement between the two countries at a time when regional economies are seeking stronger partnerships and diversified markets. Among the notable participants were Senior Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Saquib Fayyaz Magoon and Acting President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Mohammad Raza, alongside representatives from multiple sectors including trade, manufacturing, infrastructure, and technology. In the opening remarks, Indonesian Consul General Mudzakir described the luncheon as a practical platform designed to encourage dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and direct business engagement between Indonesian and Pakistani stakeholders.
He said the historical relationship between the two countries should now evolve into stronger economic and commercial cooperation supported by concrete business initiatives. Mudzakir emphasized that growing global uncertainty, disruptions in supply chains, and concerns surrounding energy security have made regional economic partnerships more important than ever. He noted that Karachi remains central to Pakistan’s economic landscape and serves as a strategic gateway for advancing bilateral trade and investment relations with Indonesia. The consul general also highlighted Indonesia’s expanding economic potential, pointing to opportunities in downstream industries, renewable energy, infrastructure, tourism, food security, manufacturing, the digital economy, and the halal sector. According to Indonesian officials, the country recorded economic growth of 5.11 percent in 2025 and 5.61 percent during the first quarter of 2026, driven by domestic demand, foreign investment, and reforms aimed at improving the business climate. Ricky Eka Virgana Ichsan, Director for South and Central Asia at Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed Jakarta’s focus on strengthening economic diplomacy with Pakistan. Addressing participants, he urged both countries to improve commercial connectivity, diversify trade portfolios, and make better use of business platforms to bring private sectors closer together. On behalf of Pakistan’s business community, FPCCI leader Saquib Fayyaz Magoon welcomed the initiative and said both countries possess untapped economic potential that could be transformed into long-term commercial partnerships. He stressed the need for stronger private-sector collaboration in sectors such as agriculture, halal products, textiles, technology, infrastructure, and investment. The event also included an “Indonesia Updates” session led by Dr. Ahmad Syofian, Consul for Economic Affairs, who outlined the Indonesian Consulate’s upcoming trade and investment promotion agenda. The presentation included details about Trade Expo Indonesia 2026, D-8 Halal Expo Indonesia 2026, and the planned Indonesia–Pakistan Investment Forum 2026. Officials also introduced “Connect Indonesia,” a new digital platform aimed at simplifying access to trade and investment information for Pakistani and Indonesian businesses.
The platform is designed to provide information related to exhibitions, tourism, investment opportunities, and business inquiries while helping companies pursue potential partnerships more efficiently. Participants additionally received a virtual briefing from Nova Herlangga Masrie, Director of the Indonesia Investment Promotion Centre (IIPC) Abu Dhabi, who discussed Indonesia’s investment climate, licensing reforms, investment incentives, and Special Economic Zones. He outlined practical steps for foreign investors seeking to establish businesses in Indonesia. Adding a personal perspective to the discussions, businessman Ghulam Phanwar from Hyderabad shared his experience of investing in Indonesia. He told participants that the process of establishing a company in the country was completed in less than two weeks, highlighting what he described as increasingly accessible investment procedures and investor-friendly reforms. The luncheon concluded with a networking session and group interaction among participants, allowing business leaders to explore future collaborations and commercial partnerships. Through the event, the Indonesian Consulate in Karachi signaled its intention to expand commercial diplomacy and encourage stronger economic engagement between Indonesia and Pakistan, with both sides expressing optimism about broader trade and investment cooperation in the years ahead.
