Meet The Ambassador Of Kazakhstan, Sandiaga Uno Discusses Charter Flight Direct Cooperation To Halal Business

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno held a meeting with the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Indonesia, Daniyar Sareknov, on Tuesday, June 15. In the meeting, the two of them explored the potential for cooperation in tourism and the creative economy.

The cooperation opportunities, said Sandiaga, include plans for direct charter flights from Surabaya and Bali, Indonesia to Almaty, Kazakhstan, and vice versa from Kazakhstan to Indonesia.

Currently, the Kazakh airline, Air Astana, has opened direct flights to several Asian countries, such as Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Seoul, Beijing, and Tokyo.

"I am very optimistic that after this pandemic we can produce cooperation and collaborate with each other in developing tourism and the creative economy in both countries," he said in a written statement, quoted Thursday, June 17.

Not only that, but in the meeting the two also discussed halal tourism. According to Sandiaga, halal tourism also has good potential to be developed, because Kazakhstan has several historical Islamic places in the Turkistan region, which are developing as a tourist area.

"Halal businesses are also a potential opportunity, because market demand for halal businesses such as hotels and halal restaurants is quite high, so that Kazakhstan is projected to attract Indonesian entrepreneurs to invest in developing halal businesses. Likewise, with halal products, Indonesia can export halal food to Kazakhstan," he said.

In addition, Sandiaga also expressed his gratitude for the presence of the Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Daniyar Sareknov. He hopes that this potential cooperation opportunity will strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, especially in the tourism and creative economy sectors.

"And can help promote and present quality and sustainable tourism in accordance with President Joko Widodo's direction in five super-priority destinations, namely Borobudur, Lake Toba, Mandalika, Labuan Bajo, and Likupang," he said.

On that occasion, Deputy for Marketing Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf Nia Niscaya proposed to make a virtual trip between Kazakhstan and Indonesia.

"This is to build awareness of tourist destinations in both countries, as well as increase tourist confidence that Indonesia has implemented strict health protocols in each tourist destination," Nia said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy for Tourism Products and Event Organizers of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Rizky Handayani, believes that charter flights should ideally be opened not only from Surabaya and Bali, but also from the city of Jakarta.

"Because tourists from Jakarta also have the potential to fly to Kazakhstan," said Rizky.

Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), tourist visits from Kazakhstan to Indonesia in 2019 were 9,781 tourists. However, in 2020 the number of tourists decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which amounted to 3,671. This cooperation opportunity is expected to increase the number of Kazakh tourists to Indonesia.

In addition, this cooperation opportunity is expected to be a follow-up to the umbrella agreement in the economic sector that has not been discussed yet. Because the two countries do not yet have a Double Tax Protection Agreement, an Investment Protection Agreement, and a Bilateral Trade Agreement where the three agreements are indispensable for business actors to support economic activities both in the context of investment and direct trade.

Indonesia according to the interests of tourists from Kazakhstan

The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Indonesia, Daniyar Sareknov said that Kazakh tourists really like the beach as a destination. Because Kazakhstan has no beaches. For this reason, Indonesia is very suitable for the interests of tourists from Kazakhstan.

"As a follow-up to our discussion this time, we can hold a virtual meeting to discuss in more detail. And I hope this cooperation opportunity can be poured into a G to G agreement or memorandum of understanding," he said.

Indonesia through the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has collaborated with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in developing the creative economy, particularly in the sub-sectors of architecture, fashion, design, fine arts, and publications.

The cooperation was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Menparekraf Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno and UAE Minister of Culture and Youth Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi which was held in a hybrid manner on Friday, March 5, 2021, in Manado and Abu Dhabi.