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Pakistan and Indonesia have agreed to deepen cooperation in agricultural trade, focusing on rice and other key commodities. The decision came during a meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, and Indonesia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Chandra Warsenanto Sukotjo. Both sides emphasized early meetings of the Joint Trade and Development Committee and trade forums to maintain momentum.
Minister Jam Kamal Khan highlighted Pakistan’s position as a leading rice exporter, noting efforts to enhance price competitiveness while maintaining quality standards.
“We are working on financial and commercial mechanisms to improve competitiveness without compromising quality,” he said. Pakistan hopes to revive and institutionalize the rice memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Indonesia in 2015, which allowed for up to one million metric tons of rice procurement annually.
The minister also raised concerns over agricultural exports, particularly kinnow, as delays in Indonesia issuing import quotas could disrupt seasonal exports and cause losses for growers and exporters. The Indonesian ambassador welcomed Pakistan’s proposals, affirming that Indonesia is interested in food security, diversified sourcing, and competitive pricing.
Both countries have committed to intensifying institutional engagement through early trade committee meetings, forums, and virtual consultations to strengthen bilateral agricultural trade.
The 2015 rice MoU between Pakistan and Indonesia expired in 2019. Reviving this agreement is seen as a step to ensure stable, long-term cooperation in the staple commodity sector. High-level exchanges in recent months have created positive momentum in trade relations between the two nations.
