Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar Muhammad Basri Sidehabi bore witness to the inking of 15 agreements on business transactions worth over US$100 million in terms of commitment for the trading of products, investment, and partnership, according to a press statement received from Maulana Syahid, counsellor/head of economic affairs of the Indonesian Embassy in Doha, on Thursday.Ambassador Sidehabi, in his remarks, was optimistic that the exhibition would facilitate the opening of greater access for the business communities from the two countries to deepen their cooperation in all sectors of the economy and not only in trade exchange but also in drawing more investment, collaboration, and partnership for the benefit of the two brotherly countries.
Drawing reference to the tagline of the expo “Gateway to Indonesian Products,” Ambassador Basri highlighted the need for continued action for concrete business and economic cooperation and not solely as a “gate” to the “main building” in the context of economic collaboration.
The expo, in which 45 companies and two Indonesian cooperatives participated and was supported by the Indonesian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) and its Aceh Province Regional Chapter, offered an opportunity for the business community in Qatar to explore trade and investment potential between both nations.
Coinciding with the expo, the Indonesian embassy also organized a Business-to-Business Matchmaking to enable the finalization of some business deals during the three-day exhibition.
An array of Indonesian products showcased at the event drew over 600 visitors at the exhibition that was officially opened by representative of the Qatar Chambers of Commerce and Industry Saad Al Dabbagh and President of the Qatar-Indonesia Business Council (QIBC) Farhan Al Sayed, and witnessed by Sidehabi and 60 dignitaries from diplomatic and business communities in Qatar.
The QIBC president considered it to be a privilege to have the first Indonesia Expo in Qatar and thanked the Indonesian ambassador and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia for this initiative.
“It is very important and a very strategic partnership between Qatar and Indonesia, considering the fact that Indonesia is G-20 member and the largest economy of ASEAN members and also the largest Muslim-populated country in the world,” he stated.
Al Sayed was upbeat about both nations having diversified business relations in future.
The expo’s opening ceremony was vibrant, marked by performances of Indonesian traditional dances and angklung bamboo musical instruments playing popular songs, as well as a Muslim clothing fashion show.
