KARACHI – Consul-General of Indonesia Rossalis Rusman Adenan has recognised vibrant role of Karachi Chamber to promote trade and industry, Indonesia-Pakistan bilateral trade and formation of Pakistan-Indonesia Business Forum (PIBF).In a meeting with President Karachi Chamber of Commerce Mian Abrar Ahmed at KCCI, he informed that the Indonesia-Pakistan Preferential Trade Agreement will be enforced by July 2012.  He said Indonesian Commerce Minister is visiting Pakistan next month to meet his counterpart and discuss about the implementation of PTA.He stated that Pakistan and Indonesia signed PTA on 4th February, 2012 whereby Indonesia agreed to offer market access to Pakistan on 216 tariff lines on preferential rate while Pakistan has offered 287 tariff lines. The Indonesian offer list includes products of export interest to Pakistan including fresh fruits, cotton yarn, cotton fabrics, readymade garments, fans sports goods, leather goods and other industrial products.Pakistan also agreed to provide the same treatment to Palm Oil products from Indonesia as provided to Malaysia under Pak- Malaysia FTA. Consul General articulated that preferential market access provided by Pakistan to Indonesian palm products will have a positive impact on the overall economy of the country.He suggested that Pakistani mango may be exported to Indonesia due to its finest quality. He informed that he convinced Indonesian businessmen to participate in the KCCI’s My-Karachi Exhibition.KCCI President Mian Abrar Ahmad stated that Pakistan is interested in joining Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and seeks Indonesian support in this regard as both Muslim countries had deep-rooted brotherhood and relationship encompassed over decades.He voiced that signing of PTA on the occasion of 62nd anniversary of Pak-Indonesia Friendship was a hallmark to open new chapter of economic and commercial cooperation.He hoped that this PTA will lead to Free Trade Agreement (FTA) sooner. As a result of PTA, Pak Indonesia bilateral trade could escalate up to $2 billion in coming years from the current figure of around $800 million. Indonesia would be able to increase its export of crude palm oil to Pakistan whereas Pakistan can export to Indonesia its value-added textiles, carpets, fabrics, leather and export goods, chemicals and surgical. Former President KCCI Majyd Aziz, Vice President KCCI Zia Ahmed Khan, Managing Committee Members Asif Nisar, Shamim Firpo, Naeem Ahmed, Atiqur Rehman, Arshad Islam also participated in the meeting. President KCCI also presented Chamber’s crest to Indonesian Consul General.