Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Indonesian envoy discuss expanding trade, health cooperation

First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari met Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan Chandra Warsinanto Sukotjo on Wednesday and discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, health, education and technology.

Aseefa congratulated the ambassador on the successful holding of the Pakistan-Indonesia Investment Forum and said the two countries enjoyed longstanding friendly relations based on mutual respect and shared values.

She said Pakistan and Indonesia had consistently supported each other and worked together to promote regional peace, development and prosperity.

Recalling the historical ties between the two nations, Aseefa said Indonesia's founding President Sukarno and former Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto shared a close friendship that laid the foundation for stronger bilateral relations.

The meeting focused on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, education, healthcare and technology transfer.

The two sides also discussed collaboration in vaccine production, women's entrepreneurship, tourism and cultural exchanges.

Aseefa said Indonesia remained an important market for Pakistani rice, particularly the high-quality varieties produced in Sindh.

She said greater agricultural cooperation could create new opportunities for farmers and exporters in both countries.

The first lady also highlighted the potential for expanding cooperation in palm oil and other agricultural commodities, describing it as mutually beneficial for Pakistan and Indonesia.

She said there was significant scope for collaboration in agriculture, food security, women's economic empowerment and education.

Aseefa also expressed Pakistan's interest in benefiting from Indonesia's experience in family planning and population management.

She stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in healthcare, vaccine production, technology transfer and polio eradication.

Ambassador Sukotjo reaffirmed Indonesia's commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, agriculture, investment, health and cultural exchanges.

He said Indonesia looked forward to further strengthening its partnership with Pakistan across multiple sectors.

Aseefa expressed confidence that the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Indonesia would continue to deepen in the years ahead.