Pakistan buys far more from Indonesia than it sells, and its industrialists want to change that. Indonesian exports to Pakistan amount to roughly $3.44bn, while Pakistani shipments the other way come to only about $621m, leaving a deficit of more than $2.8bn in Jakarta's favour, according to Muhammad Ikram Rajput, president of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI). Against that backdrop, a KATI delegation will attend Trade Expo Indonesia 2026, which opens in Jakarta on October 14th.
The trip was confirmed by Zubair Chhaya, KATI's deputy patron-in-chief, during a meeting with Mudzakir M.A., Indonesia's consul-general in Karachi, who had invited the association's industrialists to take part. More than 1,600 exhibitors from 130 countries are expected at the exhibition, which will feature products from a wide range of sectors.
Palm oil dominates the imbalance. Of Indonesia's exports to Pakistan, about $2.59bn consists of palm oil, with raw fibres, paper and coal among other major items, Mr Rajput said. Rashid Siddiqui, chairman of KATI's standing committee, noted that around 90% of Pakistan's edible oil, particularly palm oil, comes from Indonesia.
Pakistan's sales to Indonesia rely mainly on rice, raw tobacco and textiles. Mr Rajput put total bilateral trade at $4.2bn in 2024, rising to $4.7bn in the 2024-25 fiscal year, but argued that volumes remain below potential and heavily skewed.
The consul-general said progress on preferential trading arrangements was essential, and that a comprehensive economic partnership agreement would be especially important. He described KATI as one of Pakistan's largest and most active industrial zones and promised help with visas and other matters for its members.
He also suggested that Pakistani manufacturers could use Indonesia as a base for re-exporting goods to international markets. Strengthening direct links between businesses in the two countries, he said, should be a priority, and his consulate stood ready to assist.
Mr Chhaya said Indonesia had supported Pakistan in difficult times, underpinning the warm relationship between them. He saw considerable scope to expand trade in textiles, garments, leather, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, halal food, palm oil and farm products, while acknowledging that commerce remained lopsided.
He also highlighted a broader concern. Since 2022, he said, Pakistan has grown increasingly dependent on imports, and industry's priority is now to find alternative sources and reduce that reliance, an area where he believes Indonesia could help, including through co-operation in new technologies and investment.
Mr Rajput called for a shift from commodity trade towards high-value industrial partnerships. He proposed a dedicated "Indonesia Desk" at KATI to guide Indonesian investors, and urged stronger business links, better air and sea connections, fewer trade barriers, joint investment and technology co-operation.
Mr Siddiqui added that obstacles to Pakistani exports must be removed through closer consultation. Zahid Hameed, KATI's senior vice-president, Ahmed Sufyan of the Indonesian consulate and Ibrahim Tawab, Ethiopia's honorary consul-general, also addressed the gathering. The Jakarta expo will offer an early test of whether such goodwill can begin to narrow a deficit that has long favoured Indonesia.