Witnessing a 154% growth in 2018, Qatar-Indonesia trade volume is expected to increase further with the launch of the inaugural edition of the ‘Indonesia Expo 2019’ in Doha, according to the Southeast Asian nation’s top diplomat.
Speaking at the launch event on Sunday, Indonesian ambassador Mohamed Basri Sidehabi said the ‘1st Solo Indonesian Products Exhibition in Qatar: Indonesia Expo 2019’ gathered more than 40 Indonesian companies specialising in paper, garments, jewellery, charcoal, medical equipment, food, lT, manpower service, furniture, and tyre products.
The ambassador stressed that the exhibition provides platform for the business community of both countries to further co-operate and seek new potential business partnerships and collaboration.
Similarly, the business delegation from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and lndustry, as well as its chapter in Aceh Province also participated in the event, which carried the tagline ‘Gateway to Indonesian Products’.
The three-day exhibition is a part of efforts to further consolidate the mutual co-operation in business sector and contribute to increasing the volume of trade exchange and investment, Sidehabi said.
“It is indeed our hope that the exhibition will open opportunity and further collaboration between two countries especially in the field of trade exchange and investment. According to Qatar Chamber, trade volume between Qatar and Indonesia increased by 154% to $877mn in 2018 from $346mn in 2017, in which Qatari exports to Indonesia increased by $728mn last year and Indonesia’s exports to Qatar increased to $148mn in the same period.
“It is quite an encouraging number but I am convinced that there is ample room for improvement to increase our trade volume, and also investment for the countries’ mutual benefit, as well as economic relations in general. In that sense, ‘Indonesia Expo 2019’ is a part of the effort to achieve that goal,” Sidehabi stressed.
The ambassador also said Qatar and Indonesia “are enjoying cordial bilateral relations” that have strengthened and developed over time in all fields for the benefit of the two countries.
“The exchange of visits between high-ranked officials from the two countries in recent years speaks highly about it,” noted Sidehabi adding that the expo will run until November 19 at the Intercontinental Hotel Doha The City.
