Ebony Diplomacy of Indonesia-Qatar Relationship

President Joko Widodo (left) with Emir Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani planted an ebony tree in the backyard of Bogor Palace, West Java, Wednesday (18/10). Photo: Republika

Bogor, MINA – President of Indonesia Joko Widodo “Jokowi’ received the visit of Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the Bogor Palace, West Java, on Wednesday (10/18), marking the last of his Asian tour in the country, signed by planting an Ebony tree .

Sheikh Tamim and his delegation entered the palace yard at around 10:30 am local time. Tamim along with Jokowi held a ceremony welcoming in the courtyard of the Palace.

A number of agendas to be undertaken by the two leaders in the 273-years-old building, including bilateral meetings, signing memorandum of understanding and joint press statement.

In addition, ebony trees or Sulawesi wood was planted in the backyard of the palace overlooking the Bogor Botanical Garden as a sign of both countries’ good relation.

The Qatari Emir’s visit to Indonesia was a return visit after Jokowi visited the Gulf state in September 2015.

During the visit, Sheikh Tamim also brought 43 business delegation from his country to attend a business forum in Jakarta with 150 Indonesian businessmen.

The business meeting is expected to boost economic ties in sectors such as energy, investment, trade, health, youth and sports as well as cultural and commercial aviation.

Indonesia–Qatar relations were officially established in 1976. Both countries are Muslim-majority countries with Indonesia being the largest. Indonesia has an embassy in Doha, while Qatar has an embassy in Jakarta. Both nations are members of Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Previously, Indonesia and Qatar have both signed a number of memorandums of understanding in fields like air transport, tourism, and agricultural cooperation and so on. (T/RE1/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)