Indonesia, Saudi Arabia Ambassador discuss economic cooperation
Jakarta, July 30 (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto met with Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Indonesia, Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Amudi, in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The two parties discussed efforts to cooperate in the economic sector, the implementation of the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, and plans to build an Islamic Center in Batam, Riau Islands.
Hartarto also expressed Indonesia's appreciation for Saudi Arabia, which has established sound relations, especially in organizing the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
"There are around 1.4 million Indonesians who perform the Hajj and Umrah every year. If the average spending is US$5,000, then the foreign exchange is US$7 billion. Therefore, Saudi Arabia should also invest more in Indonesia," he noted in a written statement from his office on Tuesday.
At the meeting, he remarked that a minimum of 15 hectares of land had been prepared in Batam for the immediate construction of a mosque and Islamic Center.
To realize this plan, Ambassador Al-Amudi plans to visit Batam and review its development progress and potential for economic cooperation.
Moreover, the minister drew attention to President-elect Prabowo Subianto's proposal to develop the Indonesian Village in Mecca.
The ambassador responded to the proposal positively and said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Government is buoyant about stronger relations between both nations in the future.
He also stated that the proposal had been discussed at a meeting between the president-elect and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In addition to cooperation in conducting Hajj and Umrah, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia will focus on cooperation in economics and investment.
Ambassador Al-Amudi stated that President Joko Widodo visited Saudi Arabia in 2023 and met with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al-Saud, in Riyadh, followed by the signing of several memoranda of understanding between the two parties.
"Saudi Arabia has the 2030 Vision, and Indonesia also has the 2045 Golden Indonesia vision. We need new ideas to strengthen economic cooperation between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia," he remarked.
The ambassador also underscored the need to encourage the private sector, such as Aramco and Acwa Power, to continue cooperation and investment as well as work on various projects in Indonesia.
"Aramco is already in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. They still have not invested in Indonesia," he stated.
