Pakistan and Indonesia could sign trade agreement in early 2011

Pakistan and Indonesia could sign trade agreement in early 2011

2010-12-24 01:54:53 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- The Governments of Pakistan and Indonesia are likely to sign a preferential trade agreement (PTA) in the first quarter of 2011, officials said on Thursday.

Pakistani Ambassador to Asean and Indonesia M. Sanaullah made the statements during a speech at the "Pakistan-Indonesia Economic Co-operation" at Indonesia's National University, located in the country's capital of Jakarta.

The expected deal would boost bilateral trade to an estimated $2 billion in two years.

Sanaullah added that a recent visit by Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to hold talks with his counterpart, Marty Natalegawa, had conducive effects on the process leading to signing the PTA.

In addition, the ambassador explained that both countries had agreements on protection of investment and the avoidance of double taxation treaty, which formed basis of a cordial investment atmosphere.

Saunallah went on to invite Indonesian businessmen and companies to invest in sectors such as agriculture, which he signaled out as an important area that could increase economic cooperation between the two countries.

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