Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia H E Zulkifli Hassan (fifth left), Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar H E Ridwan Hassan (third left), Assistant Undersecretary for Commerce Affairs at MoCI H E Saleh Al Khualifi (third right) and QC First Vice-Chairman Mohamed bin Twar Al Kuwari (fourth left) with other officials during the Qatari-Indonesian Business Forum, at the Sheraton Doha yesterday.
Doha: Total trade volume between Qatar and Indonesia witnessed a 29 percent growth to $758m in the first half (H1) of 2022 from $587.6m during the same period last year, an official said yesterday at the Qatari-Indonesian Business Forum.
The day-long event, which was organised by the Indonesian Embassy in Qatar in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoCI), Qatar Chamber (QC), and the Ministry of Trade of Indonesia, focused on reinforcing the partnership in business trade, economic and commerce between both countries with the aim of increasing the mutual interests on investments.
Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia H E Zulkifi Hassan, Ambassador of Indonesia to Qatar H E Ridwan Hassan, Assistant Undersecretary for Commerce at MoCI H E Saleh Al Khualifi, First Vice-Chairman at QC Mohamed bin Twar Al Kuwari, and other officials and entrepreneurs took part in the event.
In his keynote speech, Minister Hassan emphasised on the increased opportunities for trade relations between the two nations pointing out a surge in the trade volume in the first half of the year by 29 percent comparatively.
He highlighted that both countries have become beneficial in terms of trade and economy as Qatar awaits to host the World Cup and Indonesia looks forward to organise G20 Summit, both to take place next month.
He said: “I can say that Indonesia is your next investment destination. We noted that Indonesia’s economic growth averaged 5.44 percent mainly supported by investments, export performance, and domestic consumption.”
Furthering on Qatar’s resilient economy, Hassan mentioned that Indonesia wishes Qatar to be the prime partner to enter into the huge market. “Qatar has the ability and resources to enter in those potential markets,” he added.
During the event, Ambassador Ridwan commenced with the remark on executing plans to foster “economic relations to a higher level”. He said: “Qatar and Indonesia have enjoyed an excellent relation based on common faith and mutual interests. Under guidance of the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and H E President Joko Widodo, the relations have been strengthened and nurtured time to time”.
Speaking on the development of trade relations between both countries, Al Kuwari noted that the investment opportunities between Qatar and Indonesia are inclining and lauded the partnership efforts carried out to strengthen economic ties. He said that, “Indonesia is an important trade partner to Qatar. The trade value grew by 78 percent from QR1.8bn in 2016 to QR3.2bn last year.”
Al Kuwari continued by saying that, “The state of Qatar has an ambitious developed plan in line with the National Vision 2030”. Stating the benefits of Qatar’s role in world-wide partnerships and trade, he added: “Qatar has become one of the preferred destination of global investment.”
Expounding on the exceptional achievement derived by both countries Al Khualifi reiterated that Qatar and Indonesia have put forward equal efforts in boosting the trade relations. He said: “Over the years - our two nations’ cooperation witnessed a remarkable development with the capacity of trade increasing in double digits, reaching the approximation of QR3.2bn”.
Al Khualifi expressed his gratitude towards the H H the Amir on a “clear strategic direction” that enabled the country to focus and enhance more economic sectors in line with the National Vision 2030. He elicited that the commercial partnerships have been consolidated and more direct and indirect investors were attracted respectively.
Quoting the latest estimates of the World Bank, he said: “The Qatari economy is expected to grow in about 4.9 percent in 2022. This indicator represents a fraction of what has been achieved.” He also indicated that according to the International Monetary fund, country’s non-oil sector anticipates to rise by nearly 4.1 percent in comparison to the growth seen last year of 2.3 percent.
“These achievements have contributed and placed Qatar’s economy at the forefront of international economic indicators,” he added.
