"We hope our relations which have been established since the beginning of Indonesian independence will get stronger and continue to be maintained," Sanullah said here on Wednesday (March 28) night in a function to mark the 72nd National Day of Pakistan.
He said the relations between Pakistan and Indonesia began with the presence of 600 soldiers from Pakistan to help defend the independence of Indonesia.
Besides, Indonesia`s founding father, Soekarno, played his major role to start the relation with Pakistan.
"The relations between Indonesia and Pakistan are now getting stronger with the signing of Preferential Trade Agreement that will run up to a Free Trade Agreement," Sanullah said.
He noted that some investors from Pakistan were attracted to invest in Indonesia because the latter has better prospect in the future with its economy improving from year to year.
"Without Indonesia, even ASEAN would not have been effective," he said, adding that Indonesia-Pakistan trade value this year is targeted to reach US$2.5 billion, or rises from US$1.2 billion last year.
Sanullah said investors from his country were of the opinion that Indonesia was safe for a well-organized investment.
Meanwhile, Communication and Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring said Indonesia would continue to maintain good relation with Pakistan through cooperation in various fields.
"I hope the two countries` relations will be even stronger so that we can cooperate to face the challenges ahead because no country is able to solve its own problem without the help from other countries," Sembiring said.
(Uu.O001/B003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
