Meeting The Saudi Arabian Ambassador, Minister Of Transportation Budi Discusses Cooperation In Transportation Services To Investment

JAKARTA Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi met with the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Indonesia Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Amudi in Jakarta yesterday. The meeting discussed increased connectivity and tourism, including flights for Umrah and Hajj.

The good relationship between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia has been established for a long time and we have intensively held meetings. At this meeting, I met with the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to discuss opportunities to increase transportation services for Umrah and Hajj," he said in an official statement, Sunday, July 23.

Budi said the opportunity to improve flight services for Umrah and Hajj was getting wider after the COVID-19 pandemic. This momentum must be utilized properly to restore the national aviation industry.

"Some time ago we have tried Kertajati Airport to serve Umrah and Hajj flights, which Alhamdulillah can be realized. Then we will try Dhoho Kediri Airport, which Insha Allah can serve Umrah flights next year after the airport is officially operational," he said.

In addition to Umrah and Hajj flights, Budi also discussed efforts to increase tourism visits between the two countries. Indonesia conveyed its intention to open flights to Thaif, Saudi Arabia. Thaif was chosen because it is relatively less crowded than Mecca.

"We also welcome Saudi Arabia if they want to open flights to Indonesia, including Kertajati, Bali and elsewhere," said Budi.

Offering invasion in the infrastructure sector

Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Ministry of Transportation Novi Riyanto said the meeting also offered Saudi Arabia to invest in transportation infrastructure development projects in Indonesia.

"The scheme we offer is through Government and Business Entity Cooperation (PPP)," he said.

In addition, said Novie, the meeting was discussed about efforts to increase visits between the two countries.

"One of them is an effort to make it easier for each other to manage visas," said Novie.

Previously, the Minister of Transportation Budi Karya had intensively held a number of meetings with the Saudi Arabian government both at home and abroad.

In December 2022, the Minister of Transportation also went directly to Saudi Arabia to offer an increase in cooperation in Umrah, Hajj, and tourism flights.