Indonesian Deputy Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti met Pakistan’s First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari in Karachi on Saturday to discuss expanding bilateral ties and identifying new areas for collaboration between the two countries.
In a statement issued Sunday, Esti said Indonesia hopes to elevate the Indonesia-Pakistan Preferential Trade Agreement into a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement by 2027 to provide a stronger framework for long-term cooperation.
“Upgrading our cooperation from the IP-PTA to a CEPA would give greater certainty to businesses and open new opportunities to increase trade and investment flows between Indonesia and Pakistan,” Esti said during the meeting at Bilawal House.
The talks focused on strengthening cooperation in women’s empowerment, climate resilience, social welfare and sustainable development, as well as deepening people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.
Esti said Indonesia and Pakistan share a long-standing relationship rooted in friendship, solidarity and a common commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth, adding that this foundation creates strong momentum for closer ties.
Climate change was also a key topic, with both sides recognizing extreme weather as a shared global challenge requiring coordinated responses and the exchange of best practices.
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Esti expressed interest in learning from Sindh Province’s experience in developing large-scale, climate-resilient housing following devastating floods in 2022 that displaced millions of people.
She praised policies that grant home ownership to women, calling them a progressive step that aligns closely with Indonesia’s own agenda to strengthen women’s economic and social empowerment.
The deputy minister also pointed to opportunities to expand economic cooperation in sectors such as edible oil production, investment, food security and the development of regional value chains.
First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari welcomed Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s recent visit to Pakistan, describing it as a positive signal for stronger bilateral relations.
She also expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals program, noting that Pakistan is pursuing similar social welfare goals through initiatives such as the Benazir Income Support Programme to support women and children.
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Translator: Kelik Dewanto, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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