The Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Budi Karya Sumadi invited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar to expand air connectivity cooperation and increase their investment in Indonesia. Especially in the sea and air transportation sector. He conveyed this during a working visit to the two countries on Monday (19/12) and Tuesday (20/12). In the UAE, the Minister of Transportation met with the CEO of Dubai Port (DP) World Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. DP World is a multinational logistics company based in Dubai, UAE, engaged in cargo logistics operations, port terminal operations, maritime services and free trade zones. Currently, DP World and the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA) are exploring participation in the development and operation of Belawan Port with Pelindo. In addition, DP World is also exploring the development of an international container and logistics industrial area in Gresik, East Java, in collaboration with the national private sector (PT Maspion). Budi Karya continues to encourage investment inflows to Indonesia which will have an impact on increasing connectivity, logistical competitiveness, opening up many jobs. Or grow a new economic point and improve people's welfare.
"A number of projects that we offer use non-APBN creative funding schemes through cooperation between the government and business entities or KBPU," said Budi Karya in a written statement, Wednesday (21/12). Budi Karya stated, with the experience that DP World has in the port sector , will have a good impact on increasing the competitiveness of ports in Indonesia.He said, Indonesia is trying to increase logistics competitiveness through port development.After the meeting, the Minister of Transportation visited Dubai Marina City, an urban area with multi-storey buildings and has a yacht port ) and Jebel Ali Port, which is one of the busiest ports in the Middle East. This city has become a tourist destination for local and foreign tourists. Meanwhile, in Doha, Qatar, the Minister of Transportation met with CEO of Qatar Airways Akbar Al Baker and CEO of Qatar Investment Authority Mansoor Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud To Qatar Airways, the Minister of Transportation offered a number of collaborations in b in the aviation sector, where bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the aviation sector has been established since 2017, and was ratified by a Presidential Regulation (Perpres) in September 2020. Some of the things that were offered were the Minister of Transportation proposing to increase the frequency of Qatar Airways flights to Indonesia and also add flight destinations to Indonesia.
Based on the air relations agreement between the two countries, Indonesia opened a number of airports to serve flights from Qatar. Namely Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, Medan, Batam and Manado. However, currently, only two flight routes are being flown by Qatar Airways, namely to Jakarta and Bali. Qatar Airways plans to add 7 (seven) flights per week next year. During the winter 2022 flight period, Qatar Airways serves flights from Doha to Jakarta PP with a flight frequency of 21 times per week and from Doha to Bali PP with a frequency of 14 times per week. Before the pandemic, the frequency of flights from Doha to Jakarta was still the same, namely 21 times per week and from Doha to Bali up to 21 times per week. Furthermore, with the Qatar Investment Authority, the largest investment institution in the world. The Minister of Transportation encourages increased cooperation in the transportation sector. A number of transportation infrastructure projects are offered for cooperation through PPPs. Namely the development of transportation infrastructure that supports the tourism sector, especially in super priority destinations.
