By Noimot Olayiwola/Staff Reporter
There has been a 300% increase in bilateral trade between Qatar and Indonesia over a period of one year, Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar Deddy Saiful Hadi revealed yesterday.
Also, due to the country’s abundant natural and human resources and growth of five-six percent annually, it is being positioned to become the seventh largest economy in the next 15 years, the envoy said.
Ambassador Hadi made these statements during a speech at a reception held to mark Indonesia’s 68th republic day, which falls on August 17.
Present at the event were Minister of Transportation HE Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, Ministry of Foreign Affairs protocol director Ibrahim Fakhroo, ambassadors and other dignitaries.
“Indonesian Trade and Investment Update and Enjoy Jakarta Promotion Events have reflected a 300% increase in our total trade from 2011 to 2012, as well as Qatar’s investment activities in Indonesia in telecommunication through Ooredoo and financial sectors through Qatar National Bank. I do hope we see more Qatari investment in the challenging and promising Indonesia and, on the other hand, Indonesia increases its participation in the development of Qatar,” he stressed.
Indonesia is a country with a population of 250mn, of which around 85% are Muslims. The rest comprises some 300 different ethnic groups, cultures and languages.
The archipelagic country, which has more than 13,000 islands, has now become a member of the $1tn-economy club and also a member of G-20. “Relations between Indonesia and Qatar have never been better than today in all fields, including politics, economics and socio-cultural matters. Indonesia is a long-time friend of Qatar indeed,” he noted. Ambassador Hadi also said the embassy has so far played its role in introducing the greatness of Qatar, with all its resources and capacities, to interest groups in Indonesia, enhance the level of contacts and possible co-operation between the two countries.
The official extended gratitude to HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani for their wise and effective leadership, which he said has made Qatar prosperous and recognised as a prominent country in the region.
He also thanked the Qatari people, who have given the opportunity to about 38,000 Indonesians to participate in the development of their country - Qatar.
“I also want to thank and send my highest appreciation to my ambassador colleagues as well as all expatriates in Qatar, for the warm friendship accorded to my wife and me for the past one year and nine months,” he said, also expressing appreciation for Indonesians in Qatar for their respect and care for each other.
HE al-Sulaiti and Ambassador Hadi cutting a cake during the event.
