INDONESIA, QATAR STEP UP ECONOMIC COOPERATION

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Oct 21 (Antara) - Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani conducted a two-day tour of Indonesia on Oct 17 and 18 to step up bilateral ties, especially in the economic fields.         Visiting Indonesia for the first time since both countries established relations 41 years ago, the Qatari Emir came to Indonesia to explore various economic cooperation and trade, because the value of the two-way trade between the two countries was still relatively small, namely US$900 million last year.           According to the Spokesperson of the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Arrmanatha Nasir, about 43 business delegates accompanied the Qatari Emir to discuss and ink economic cooperation in sectors such as energy, investment, trade, economy, health, youth and culture, sports, and civil aviation.          During a meeting with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java, on Wednesday (Oct 18), Sheikh Tamim discussed cooperation in the development of infrastructure and tourism.          "His Excellency Emir Al Thani and I were discussing efforts to strengthen cooperation in infrastructure and tourism," Jokowi stated in a press conference after the meeting on Wednesday.