Indonesian delegation lauds Saudi efforts to serve pilgrims

MAKKAH: Saudi authorities are taking great care of the first batch of Indonesian Umrah pilgrims that arrived in the first week of November, said Joko Asmoru of the Indonesian Muslim Association of Hajj and Umrah Travels.

The official praised Saudi efforts during a meeting of Indonesia’s Hajj Fund Management Agency and Marwan Abbas Shaban, vice chairman of the board of directors of the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Mazen Dirar, a board member, and several members of the Saudi business community were present during the meeting to discuss investment opportunities available in the Kingdom’s Hajj and Umrah sector.

Shaban said Umrah operations are being carried out under exceptional circumstances due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. He recognized the potential of the Indonesian investors to make good use of business opportunities that the Kingdom has to offer.

Darar said the meeting discussed ways to increase cooperation and boost business ties. The two sides also agreed to organize workshops to explore more opportunities in the Saudi Hajj and Umrah sector and find new ways to boost bilateral trade.

Dr. Houriya El-Islamy, a member of the Indonesian delegation and chairman of an investment body, said her country is seeking to explore investment potential in the Kingdom.

She said due to a huge demand from its citizens to perform Hajj and Umrah annually, Jakarta is naturally inclined to make investments in Saudi Arabia.
The key areas, which need investments, are accommodation, catering, transportation, aviation, and other services related to pilgrims, El-Islamy said.
She said the returns on these investments would help Indonesian authorities serve pilgrims in a better way.