By Zahid Karani
KARACHI: Indonesia and Pakistan moved to strengthen commercial ties on Saturday as business representatives from both countries took part in a hybrid business meeting and one-on-one matchmaking session focused on coffee, tea, cocoa products and agricultural machinery.
The event was organised by the Consulate General of Indonesia in Karachi in collaboration with the Department of Industry and Trade of West Java Province. Held as part of the West Java International Industry and Trade Expo 2026, the programme aimed to connect Indonesian manufacturers and exporters directly with Pakistani importers, distributors, retailers and potential business partners.
Around 27 representatives from Pakistani companies attended the meeting at the Indonesian Consulate in Karachi. Participants came from a range of sectors including food and beverages, trading, retail, hospitality, agriculture, food processing and distribution. Indonesian exporters and manufacturers joined virtually from Indonesia to showcase products and explore opportunities for cooperation.
The programme began with remarks from Nining Yulistiani, head of the Department of Industry and Trade of West Java Province, followed by an address from Pakistan’s ambassador to Indonesia, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, and a welcome speech by Indonesia’s consul general in Karachi, Mudzakir.
Yulistiani said West Java remained one of Indonesia’s leading industrial and export-oriented regions, supported by a strong manufacturing sector, active small and medium-sized enterprises and a diverse range of competitive products. She said Pakistan’s large consumer market, growing industries and strategic location made it an attractive destination for West Java exporters seeking to expand internationally.
She expressed hope that the initial discussions would lead to further engagement through product inquiries, sample exchanges, commercial negotiations, distributorship arrangements and future business deals.
Ambassador Chaudhri described the initiative as a practical step towards expanding economic cooperation between the two countries. He said Pakistan and Indonesia enjoyed longstanding and friendly relations that should increasingly be reflected in stronger trade and investment partnerships.
He noted that Indonesia’s strengths in agriculture, food processing and manufacturing complemented Pakistan’s sizeable market and extensive distribution network, creating opportunities for collaboration across several sectors.
Speaking at the event, Consul General Mudzakir said the meeting had been designed to connect Indonesian producers directly with Pakistani buyers and transform the strong bilateral relationship into tangible economic cooperation.
He said trade between the two countries had reached approximately $4.26bn in 2025, providing a solid foundation for future growth. However, he added that significant opportunities still existed to diversify trade, expand business networks and build a more balanced and sustainable economic partnership.
Mudzakir highlighted Karachi’s importance as Pakistan’s largest commercial centre and principal seaport, describing it as a key gateway for imported products entering the national market.
He said Indonesia’s tea, coffee and cocoa industries were well placed to meet growing demand in Pakistan. The expansion of café culture, restaurants and specialty beverage consumption had created new opportunities for Indonesian coffee producers, while the country’s cocoa sector already maintained a strong presence in the Pakistani market.
He also pointed to growing opportunities in agricultural machinery and related technologies as Pakistan seeks to modernise farming practices, improve productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.
Following the opening session, Indonesian companies presented their products, export capabilities and areas of expertise before taking part in one-on-one business matching meetings. Discussions focused on product specifications, pricing, sample requests, distributorship opportunities and long-term commercial partnerships.
The Indonesian Consulate said it would continue facilitating communication between participating companies and monitoring follow-up discussions. Expected outcomes include product sample requests, catalogue exchanges, quotations, technical meetings and potential commercial agreements.
The event underscored the shared commitment of Indonesia and Pakistan to deepen economic engagement and create new opportunities through direct cooperation between their business communities.
