TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will discuss ways to enhance trade ties with Pakistan during his state visit to the South Asian country.

According to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, the first priority is strengthening the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Indonesia and Pakistan, which has been in place since 2012.

"We have a map for it, but we will further strengthen it to increase our trade," Marsudi said on Friday.

Trade between the two countries reached US$2.13 billion in the first 10 months of 2017, Marsudi noted. Pakistan, with a population of 201 million in 2016, is keen to increase economic cooperation with Indonesia, she added.

Marsudi also pointed out that Pakistan, which recorded economic growth of 4.7 percent last year, offers significant potential for trade alliances between the two countries. To improve trade relations, Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita also held a bilateral business meeting.

"We want to widen our trade with Pakistan. We signed the PTA in 2012. We want to strengthen that PTA. Pakistan has also proposed a Free Trade Agreement that we are discussing," the foreign minister elaborated.

President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana arrived at the Nur Khan Air Base in Islamabad, Pakistan, at 02:30 p.m. local time on Friday. Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain and First Lady Begun Mahmooda Mamnoon greeted them upon their arrival.

While in Pakistan, President Jokowi will visit the National Assembly of Pakistan, lay a wreath at the Monument Wall of Unsung Heroes, and hold talks with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

ANTARA