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Satyendra Pathak
Doha
A high level ministerial delegation from Qatar will be visiting Indonesia soon to review progress on eight agreements signed between the two countries during the visit of the Emir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani to Jakarta in October this year, Indonesia's top envoy in Doha said on Wednesday.
In an interview with Qatar Tribune, Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar HE Muhammed Basri Sidehabi said the delegation, which is expected to reach Jakarta by the end of this month, will have representatives from Qatar's ministries of finance, defence, education and culture.
Sidehabi said that progress on air services agreement (ASA) between two countries that would see Qatar Airways adding four more destinations in Indonesia would be one of the major topics of discussion.
"Qatar Airways currently has direct flights to Jakarta and Bali. Addition of four more destinations like Medan, Batan, Surabaya and Manado would give a major boost to tourism in Indonesia," the envoy said.
"All these four places are prime tourist destinations in Indonesia. We hope to see Qatar Airway's direct services to these destinations soon," he said.
Sidehabi said that members of the delegation would also look for opportunities to invest in joint defence research, training and manufacturing of defence items.
He said the committee would also take stock of the progress on $1 billion natural gas-fired power plant being set up by Nebras Power on the island of Sumatra and related floating infrastructure to process liquefied natural gas.
"It is one of Qatar's major investments in Indonesia. Of the total amount, $800 million would go toward a power station and the remaining $200 million would be used for a floating storage and regassification unit," he said.
The envoy said the $1 billion Qatar-Indonesia joint infrastructure fund (JIF) will soon start investing in various upcoming infrastructure projects in Indonesia.
"We are in talks with Qatar invest in our airport, road and port projects," he said.
The envoy also revealed that work on linking Hamad Port directly with two major ports in Indonesia is also going on in full swing.
"Indonesia has stood by Qatar in the past and we will continue to support the country with whatever means we have. We will support Qatar in achieving the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. We will also give full support to Qatar in organising the 2022 FIFA World Cup," he said.
The direct shipping routes from Qatar to Indonesia will ensure that the trade relations between the two countries strengthen in course of time.
The envoy said that Qatar's private sector also has major plans to invest in Indonesia's tourism sector.
Qatar's top business personality Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al Thani has expressed his interest in building a five-starr hotel in the Mandalika Resort area.
Mandalika Resort area is a privately owned area of land which has been set out for high-end, luxury development including five-star hotels, a golf course, private villas and residences, marine and watersport activities, Formula One track and water parks.
Sheikh Faisal will be personally visiting the Mandalika Resort area soon to finalise the deal, the envoy said.
