UAE and Indonesia aim to boost trade relations

Abu Dhabi: Indonesians in the UAE are thrilled with the increasing number of professionals among them.

"When I reached Abu Dhabi nine years ago, I didn't find many Indonesian engineers. Now, our association of petroleum engineers has more than 250 members", Irfan Hendrawan , a petroleum engineer told Gulf News.

"Even a construction company working on an Island in the capital alone recruited 600 Indonesian engineers recently", said Mohammad Loekito Slamet, Vice-President of UAE chapter of Society of Indonesian Petroleum Engineers.

"Among the 75,000 strong community, majority of them are housemaids but I was surprised to find about 160 engineers and their families in Ruwais, a remote town, 250 kilometres away from the capital", M.Wahid Supriyadi, Indonesian Ambassador to the UAE told Gulf News.

"I met them as part of my efforts to form Indonesian Business and Professional Organisation in the UAE ", said Supriyadi who took charge as the ambassador six months ago. "We expect more than 2,000 professionals and business men to be the members of the organisation".

The ambassador and community members spoke to Gulf News on the sidelines of a reception hosted by the embassy as part of Indonesian national day celebrations on Sunday evening.

"Although national day was on August 17, we set aside the celebrations to this month, for the convenience of the community", said the ambassador.

Saqr Gobash Saeed Gobash, Minister of Labour, was the chief guest.

A group of Indonesian artist played Gamelan, traditional instrumental music from Java and Bali islands, which touched the hearts of guests and the community members. Traditional dance also added colour to the celebrations.

A special corner of Indonesian food gave a new experience to the guests.

The ambassador said that being moderate Muslim countries, both are enjoying a very strong political relation and are trying to expand trade and people to people contact.

"The UAE has committed to invest $6.2 billion in our country as part of growing trade relations. Both countries have found new areas of opportunities which were ignored in the past", said Supriyadi.