Pakistan, Indonesia Agree to Boost Trade Engagement in Agriculture

Pakistan and Indonesia on Tuesday agreed to intensify institutional engagement, including the early convening of the Joint Trade and Development Committee and trade forums.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Indonesia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Chandra Warsenanto Sukotjo, according to an official statement.

During the meeting, the commerce minister briefed the ambassador on Pakistan’s evolving trade strategy, with a particular focus on rice exports. He said the government is working on financial and commercial mechanisms to improve price competitiveness without compromising quality, enabling Pakistan to sustain and expand its market share.

The minister noted that Pakistan remains among the world’s leading rice exporters, offering internationally recognised quality.

Both sides recalled that a rice memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in 2015, which allowed for up to one million metric tons of rice procurement annually on a government-to-government basis, expired in 2019. Pakistan has shared a revised draft with Indonesia and expressed hope for its early finalisation to institutionalise long-term cooperation in the staple commodity.

The minister also raised issues affecting agricultural exports, particularly kinnow. He said Pakistan is awaiting the issuance of import quotas by Indonesia to ensure uninterrupted seasonal exports, warning that delays could lead to losses for growers and exporters.

The Indonesian ambassador welcomed Pakistan’s proposals and appreciated the positive momentum created by recent high-level exchanges between the two countries. He assured that issues related to rice cooperation, agricultural market access, and trade facilitation would be conveyed to Jakarta, noting Indonesia’s strong interest in food security, diversified sourcing, and competitive pricing.

Both sides agreed to intensify institutional engagement through early meetings of the Joint Trade and Development Committee, trade forums, and virtual consultations to maintain momentum.