Qatar and Indonesia edging towards close economic cooperation

HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani has lauded the “progress” Qatar and Indonesia are making towards “close economic cooperation.”
Speaking in the presence of Indonesia’s Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita and more than 400 businessmen, investors, government officials, company executives, economic bodies, and experts at the Qatar-Indonesia Economic Forum in Jakarta yesterday, Sheikh Ahmed highlighted the “promising opportunities for fostering Qatari-Indonesian bilateral trade and economic relations.”
The minister noted that Qatari-Indonesian bilateral trade stood at about $500mn in 2016, noting an increase in Qatari exports to Indonesia to $356mn, while Indonesia’s exports to Qatar stood at $131mn during the same period.
Lukita underscored the development of Qatar-Indonesia economic and trade relations, and stressed that both countries are home to business-friendly economies that serve to promote free trade.
The Indonesian minister added that his country has cemented its position as one of the world’s leading emerging countries with major investment breakthroughs across various sectors.
He said the agricultural, tourism, and real estate sectors offer “promising opportunities” that contribute to the development of bilateral relations between Indonesian businessmen and their Qatari counterparts.
Lukita also stressed that the forum allows the private sector of both countries to enhance bilateral cooperation and benefit from “important opportunities” offered by Qatar and Indonesia in the investment and trade sectors. He emphasised that bilateral agreements signed during the forum mark an important milestone in the development of economic and trade cooperation.
Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani said he expects the forum to pave the way for new joint commercial and investment ventures.
Sheikh Khalifa said Qatari-Indonesian economic and trade relations have grown over the past years as demonstrated by the value of bilateral trade, which stood at about QR1.8bn in 2016.
The Qatar Chamber official also underlined the “important role” the private sector plays in enhancing commercial and investment relations between both countries. He also urged the establishment of successful investment partnerships, noting that the participation of a large number of Qatari and Indonesian investors and businessmen in the forum reflects a common interest in promoting bilateral investments in priority sectors.
Indonesia Chamber of Commerce vice president Erwin Aksa said the forum “propels Qatari-Indonesian ties forward.” He also praised the development and growth of trade relations between Qatar and Indonesia, and invited companies and businessmen from both countries to take advantage of the investment opportunities that were highlighted during the forum.
He also stressed the importance of joint efforts by the business sector in both countries to explore cooperation opportunities and exchange expertise and hold trade visits and fairs to capitalise on the agreements and memoranda of understanding signed in various economic fields.
The forum also included bilateral meetings between businessmen from both countries where they discussed investment opportunities and measures to bolster long-term economic cooperation and enable Qatari companies to draw lessons from their Indonesian counterparts’ success. Page 16