Rozy Munir

By CHRIS V PANGANIBAN

DOHA: Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar Rozy Munir said economic relations between his country and Qatar needs to be further explored and intensified to pave the way towards fruitful and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Munir made this call in his speech before guests and visitors mostly diplomats from different embassies in Qatar during the reception last night for Indonesia’s National Day at the Ambassador’s residence.

“In terms of bilateral economic relations, the cooperation between Indonesia and Qatar is still far behind the potential of both countries,” Munir said even as he cited closer relations between both countries were already reached by the joint agreement on economic and technical cooperation during the visit of H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani early this year.

He however said the agreement serves as the umbrella of every future economic and technical cooperation since his country regards Qatar as her important partner in terms of bilateral, regional and international relations.

Munir said apart from trade, Indonesia would also like to encourage the flow of investment from Qatar especially on the foreign investment of its rich and abundant natural resources.

Such investments, Munir said, would further boost the economy of his country now that it had gradually passed the global economic crisis through effective economic policies that it gained a 4 percent economic growth in the first semester this year, predicted to grow more above 4 percent in the next semester and expected to reach 6 percent next year.

He hoped that with the strong bilateral ties, Qatar will continue to open more employment opportunities to Indonesians in Qatar where he noted had already started to increase by more than 27,000 expatriates.

The guests led by Qatar’s Culture Minister HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari were entertained by a cultural troupe coming from Indonesian and local Indonesian bands which played ethnic Indonesian, Middle Eastern and modern music.

The programme opened with the slicing of the cake led by Munir and assisted by Al Kuwari as diplomats went up the stage to witness the symbolic event marking the reception.