Punjab explores areas of collaboration with Indonesia

Minister suggests focus on SMEs and seminars

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Industries Sheikh Allauddin has underscored the need for stepping up trade and business partnership with Indonesia with particular focus on small and medium enterprises.

He stated this while chairing a meeting held to explore potential areas of collaboration between Indonesia and Punjab at the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) on Wednesday.

“Apart from big companies, we also need to focus on promoting small and medium enterprises,” Allauddin said, directing the PBIT to extend all support and facilitation in that regard. He suggested organising an exhibition in Jakarta to increase Indonesia’s exposure to Pakistani products.



Emphasising the need for increased business-to-business contacts, the minister suggested that trade seminars and exchange of high-level commercial delegations would deepen relations between private sectors of the two countries.

PBIT CEO Jahanzeb Burana highlighted the options, needs and possibilities present for collaboration in the province. He especially highlighted auto part, rice, surgical instrument and footwear industries as having the highest potential for cooperation.

Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Malik Tahir Javed noted that Indonesia’s high demand and consumption of rice is a potential area which requires Punjab to increase its exports.



He assured full support and provision of a detailed list of goods Pakistan could potentially export to Indonesia.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2017.

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