Indonesia-Pakistan determined to deepen existing relationship: Adam Tugio

by Riaz Ahmad Malik
ISLAMABAD, June 30: Pakistan and Indonesia enjoy solid foundations in terms of their bilateral relations and that we must be the thankful to our leaders for providing us the directions to move forward and expand these bonds of brotherhood.
This was stated by the Indonesian Ambassador His Excellency Adam M Tugio while talking to this scribe for Daily National Herald Tribune (NHT) here in the Embassy the other day. He said that there was a meeting on 24-25 May in Bali regarding the bilateral consultations whereby both the sides agreed to deepening the existing relationship through establishing a Joint Ministerial Committee to stock taking the progress and give directive in moving forward bilateral relations covering politics, defence cooperation, socio-cultural and economic ties.
To a question regarding the suspension and resumption of palm oil supplies to Pakistan by the Indonesian Government, he replied that the decision to temporarily ban the export was adopted due to the shortage of the commodity in the local market. He added that it was irony that the Indonesia known as the biggest producer of the commodity, its people were unable to find it in the local market, that’s why the Government at that time, imposed ban on its export for the time being. It was lifted by the Indonesian President Jokowi on 23 May and his country resumed the export to different counties, especially to Pakistan knowing the importance of the product for its industry. The Ambassador further said that in the same context Pakistani Minister for Industries and Production visited Jakarta, held meetings with his counterpart and exporters for the needful. Hence, as far as he thought five ships from Indonesia had already been arrived at Port Qasim and 5 more are on the way and will arrive in due course of time.
Responding to another question about the main objective of the forthcoming G-20 leaders meeting in Jakarta, H.E. Adam Tugio stated that the meeting will take place on 15th and 16th of November this year and will focus discussions on building collective ability to create an inclusive and sustainable foundation for growth. Three priority issues for Indonesian Presidency in G20, namely strengthening the Global Health Architecture in respond to the pandemic, Digital Transformation to ensure inclusive economy development through MSMEs participation and building smooth transition toward cleaner energy sources or Sustainable Energy Transition.