Abu Dhabi: Indonesia and the UAE have agreed to mutually waive visas for officials and diplomats visiting either country, a top Indonesian diplomat told Gulf News.
With effect from August 29, the UAE officials and diplomats visiting Indonesia will not need a visa [and vice versa], said Salman Al Farisi, Indonesian Ambassador to the UAE.
He said this shows the deepening ties between both countries.
The relations between Indonesia and UAE have gone beyond expectations, Al Farisi said. Mutual visits being made by high ranking officials, business community and tourists are enhancing the ties, he said.
Still both countries can further improve the relations in many more areas, Al Farisi said.
He believes people to people contacts are also important in bilateral relations. “I have requested the Indonesian community in the UAE to develop relations with Emiratis here.”
There are about 94,000 Indonesians in the UAE. As Gulf News reported the number of skilled and professional people among Indonesians increased by 30 per cent during the past five years. At the moment 45 per cent of them are skilled and professionals whereas in 2007, they constituted just 15 per cent.
