Karachi Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said Pakistan-Indonesia trade offers significant opportunities for investment, industrial cooperation and economic growth, while reaffirming the provincial government’s commitment to facilitating foreign investors, particularly from Indonesia.

He made the remarks while addressing the Indonesia-Pakistan Investment and Business Forum, organised by the Embassy of Indonesia in Pakistan and the Consulate General of Indonesia in Karachi. The forum focused on strengthening economic partnership, trade, investment and advancing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

During his address, Murad Ali Shah highlighted Sindh’s economic importance, describing Karachi as Pakistan’s largest commercial, industrial, financial and maritime hub. He also outlined several major infrastructure projects, including the Sindh International Financial Centre, large-scale data centres and a new port at Keti Bandar, aimed at positioning Sindh as a regional centre for trade, investment and financial services.

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Furthermore, the chief minister said renewable energy, agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, information technology, transport, manufacturing and infrastructure offer promising opportunities for joint ventures between Pakistan and Indonesia. He invited Indonesian companies to invest in Sindh and assured them of the provincial government’s full support.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan Lieutenant General (R) Chandra W. Sukotjo said the two countries should transform their 75-year bilateral relationship into a stronger economic partnership driven by trade, investment and industrial cooperation. He noted that bilateral trade has exceeded US$4 billion but said both countries have the potential to achieve significantly higher volumes.

In addition, the ambassador called for balanced trade, increased investment and stronger private-sector collaboration. He described Indonesia as Southeast Asia’s largest economy and said Pakistan’s strategic location could strengthen trade links between South Asia, Central Asia, China and the Middle East.

The ambassador also invited Pakistani businesses and chambers of commerce to participate in the Trade Expo Indonesia 2026, scheduled to take place in Jakarta in October 2026.

Separately, Indonesian Consul General in Karachi Muddzakir M.A. said the investment forum reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen business partnerships, encourage investment and expand commercial exchanges between the two countries. He added that sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food processing, energy, tourism and consumer goods offer considerable opportunities for cooperation.

Finally, participants discussed investment opportunities, market access, bilateral trade priorities, business prospects and progress towards the proposed CEPA. The event concluded with the presentation of commemorative shields to the chief minister, the Indonesian ambassador, the consul general and other speakers.