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Maneesh Bakshi
Doha
THE diplomatic relations between Qatar and Indonesia, which spans over four decades, have strengthened year after year and have many achievements to boast of, Ambassador of Indonesia to Qatar Air Marshal (Retd) HE Muhammad Basri Sidehabi has said.
In an interview with Qatar Tribune recently, the ambassador said:"Indonesia treats Qatar as one of its trusted investment partners engaged in some of the large-scale multi-billion dollar infrastructural projects as well as promoting bilateral cooperation in various areas such as human resource, tourism, aviation, trading and culture."
The ambassador added:"We are looking ahead to the signing of many important agreements during the visit of the Emir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani that relates to the MoU pertaining to air transport agreement which will open new destinations in Indonesia for tourists from the Middle East and the West."
According to the ambassador, connectivity is of key importance for the influx of tourists. Indonesia being a nation of Islands has a rich cultural diversity that attracts tourists from the world over."We are trying to open more destinations, besides Jakarta and Bali, which have non-stop Qatar Airways flights from Doha," he said.
Other cities to be connected with Qatar Airways (QA) flights would be Surabaya, Medan, Ptam and Manado. The MoU is likely to be signed when the high-level delegation arrives in Indonesia."It is going to be a major boost for the tourism in Indonesia," said the ambassador.
"The signing of the new air transport agreement will also help in easing transportation of food items from Indonesia to Qatar, which would boost the trade between the two countries as well as improve the food security for Qatar by exploring alternative markets in the wake of the current blockade," he added.
On the economic front, Sidehabi said:"Fast moving, growth-oriented Indonesian economy holds a lot of promise in terms of good returns for international investors such as Qatar. Realising such potential many of the Qatari investment companies bought stakes in different Indonesian projects."
"In the field of investments, Qatar's leading telecom giant Ooredoo has bought 65 percent of the shares of the Indonesia's largest telecom services providing company Indosat. Nebras Power of Qatar has acquired 35 percent stake in PT Paiton that amounts to an investment of $1.35 billion."
Other investment opportunities availed by Qatar consists of ventures such as Nebras Power making an investment of $700 million in Indonesia's Belawan Power Plant project being developed right now. In banking sector,Qatar's QNB has acquired Kesawan Bank by buying its 80 percent capital.
"I am also working on LNG direct sales from Qatar to Indonesia which might turn into reality shortly," he said. According to him, Indonesia buys LNG from a Singapore-based company that might be a dear proposition compared to buying directly from Qatar.
On the cultural front, the ambassador informed that in November, a business-cum-cultural show is likely to be held culminating into a gala dinner in the evening. This programme named 'Indonesian Night' will include the participation of a business delegation from Indonesia as well as hosting of cultural performances by local artists and a food festival.
Besides, the members of the business delegation from Indonesia will be able to meet their Qatari counterparts for business matchmaking in the backdrop of the ongoing blockade in Qatar.
Many other areas where the two countries can cooperate, according to the Indonesian ambassador, are in the fields of defence, education, medical personnel."Qatar has shown interest in combat rifles produced in Indonesia and supplied to many leading armies of the world, especially to those of ASEAN countries and many of the African nations. And now, we want to enter the Middle East market too."
"In the coming days, the relations between Qatar and Indonesia are expected to reach a new level and many of the MoUs which are currently being drafted will see the light of the day when their signing will take place during the high level visit from Qatar to Indonesia,"the ambassador concluded.
