Qatar Chamber Chairman Urges Further Qatari-Indonesian Businessmen Cooperation

Jakarta, October 18 (QNA) - HE Chairman of Qatar Chamber Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani called on Qatari businessmen to build more bilateral partnerships with their Indonesian counterparts and benefit from both countries' keenness to eradicate all obstacles that face joint investments, provide all the facilities to attract investors and enhance the relations between businessmen of both countries. During his speech at the Qatari-Indonesian Business forum, HE the chairman said the economic indicators reveal the importance of trade exchange between Qatar and Indonesia, where in 2016 the bilateral trade volume reached QR 1.8 billion. The Indonesian labor force is a strong cooperation factor between both countries due to its positive role in the development witnessed in Qatar. HE the chairman spoke about the joint investments between both countries, revealing the Qatari investments in Indonesian are diverse covering various sectors, most notably the communications and banking sector. HE the chairman said a branch of Qatar National Bank opened in Indonesia, Ooredoo owns 55 percent of Indosat Co as well as Qatari investments in electricity, noting to 9 Qatari-Indonesian companies and two companies of 100 percent Indonesian capital specialized in construction, engineering and technology all are operating in the Qatari market. He said that the State of Qatar has successfully managed to mitigate impacts of the unjust siege imposed by three neighboring Gulf countries, backed by the private sector, Qatar dealt with these measures very quickly and directly shifted to alternative sources to ensure the continuing flow of goods without any interruption. New direct marine routes were launched to connect Hamad Port with several ports in Oman, Turkey, Pakistan, China and India, allowing Qatar to receive all commodities and imports directly without the need to pass across siege countries through which 80 percent imports were passing into Qatari market, HE the Chairman said. HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani revealed that the measures the State took on this matter ensured the flow of different types of goods into the Qatari market, allowing the continuity of projects with no obstacles, where the construction works for FIFA World Cup 2022 are progressing normally as scheduled. Recently, the design of Al Thumama Stadium, the sixth stadium which will host the international tournament, was revealed during the siege days, and there are two stadiums are scheduled to be announced by the end of the year, HE the chairman added. He said the strategic policies adopted by the wise leadership made it an investment destination thanks to its global pro-investment climate and legislations, along with the social and political stability and its special geographic location. Qatar also adopted flexible economic policies in order to encourage local and foreign investments and provided a cutting-edge infrastructure, in addition to building industrial and logistic zones and custom exemption; certain sectors are also open for 100 percent foreign investment such as education and agriculture, HE the Chairman said. From his side, Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) Erwin Aksa said the Qatar-Indonesian Business Forum gave a strong boost to the cooperation between both countries, calling on all companies and businessmen from both countries to benefit from the investment opportunities that were discussed during the forum. Aksa confirmed the importance of unifying the efforts of the business sector in both countries, explore the opportunities and cooperation aspects, exchange relevant information and visits, set up exhibitions and work on enhancing the benefits of the agreements and memoranda of understanding that have been signed. Aksa also stressed on activating other agreements that link both sides in various economic fields which mutually benefits the interests of Qatar and Indonesia. (QNA)