Held in Karachi, the conference attracted major industry players, buyers, analysts, and international representatives, with participation from six foreign countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Canada, and the United States.

In his opening remarks, PEOC CEO and Chairman of the Pakistan Edible Oil Refiners Association (PEORA), Rasheed Janmohammed, highlighted the scale of Pakistan’s edible oil market potential and expressed appreciation to all stakeholders, including overseas delegates who attended in person.

Rasheed presented a paper titled “Global Vegetable Oil Market: Pakistan Perspective,” outlining both opportunities and challenges Pakistan faces in securing stable edible oil supplies amid shifting global trade flows.

Echoing the message, Chairman of the Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA), Sheikh Umar Rehan, said Pakistan is currently the world’s third-largest edible oil importer. He emphasized that Pakistan has strong supporting infrastructure in logistics and storage capacity.

Pakistan Trade Minister: Palm Oil Key to Cooperation, Indonesian Investors to Be Invited

Pakistan’s Minister of Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, attending as the chief guest, praised the conference for creating an international platform linking key stakeholders across vegetable oil and oilseed industries.

Jam Kamal highlighted the recent visit by the Indonesian President to Pakistan as productive and said it opened wider opportunities to strengthen bilateral relations—particularly in palm oil trade.

He expressed optimism that Pakistan–Indonesia ties will deepen through stronger trade engagement and said the Pakistani government plans to invite Indonesian investors to expand partnerships.

Jam Kamal also pointed to growing interest from Indonesia, Malaysia, the United States, and Canada to build not only transactional trade, but longer-term strategic cooperation.

According to him, the vegetable oil sector provides a solid foundation for strengthening supply chains and investment that could shorten shipping lead times.

Indonesia Pushes a New Phase: JTC and Toward a CEPA

Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri, who attended as a special guest, said bilateral relations have reached 75 years and have developed beyond trade alone.

She called Pakistan an important partner for Indonesia—especially in vegetable oils—supported by an established business ecosystem and a growing food security system.

Dyah said bilateral trade between the two countries has surpassed US$4 billion, and both parties are entering a new phase of cooperation, including halal certification and technology transfer.

While Indonesia remains Pakistan’s top palm oil supplier, it also exports other commodities such as rubber. Dyah added that both countries are reviewing their Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and have agreed to broaden cooperation toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to unlock wider trade and investment opportunities.

Malaysia: Pakistan’s Palm Oil Consumption Keeps Rising

From Malaysia’s side, Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) CEO Belvinder said PEOC has become an important platform for reconnecting industry partners in the edible oil sector.

He reaffirmed Malaysia’s position in the global palm oil market and its economic contribution in 2025, while noting that Malaysia has maintained palm oil partnerships with Pakistan for more than five decades. Pakistan’s palm oil consumption, he said, continues to rise year after year.