REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) met Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain at the Aiwan-e-Sadr Presidential Palace in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Friday night (Jan 26). Jokowi had stated during the meeting that since the implementation of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) in 2013, the value of trade between Indonesia and Pakistan had increased significantly, from US$1.6 billion in 2013 to $2.1 billion in 2016.

"I hope the two countries would further strengthen trade relations by deepening the PTA," he noted According to a press release by Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media of Indonesia's Presidential Secretariat Bey Machmudin received here on Saturday. 

At the start of the meeting, he remarked that Indonesia and Pakistan were old friends, with relations established decades ago since Indonesia's independence and the Asian-African Conference.

Also read: Jokowi to strengthen trade cooperation with Pakistan

He expected that the historical closeness between the two countries could be developed into real cooperation for the welfare and prosperity of people from both countries. In addition, Indonesia and Pakistan have much in common, as two large Muslim and democratic nations.

"I believe these similarities can encourage cooperation in the Islamic world, promote moderate Islam and unity of the umma, help in the struggle of the Palestinian people, and improve the economy of people through Halal certification and sharia-based business, among others," Jokowi stated.

The meeting ended with a state dinner with Hussain and First Lady Begum Mahmooda.

Jokowi was accompanied by First Lady Iriana, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economy Darmin Nasution, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita, Coordinator of the Presidential Special Staff Teten Masduki, and Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan Iwan Suyudhie Amri.

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