REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, Although it's widely recognized as an oil-rich country, United Arab Emirates is not dependent on oil and gas related economy. Now, only 30 percent of the country's economy depends on oil and gas, while the rest depend on constructions and transportation services.
This view presented by the Ambassador to the UAE, Salman al Farisi when giving a public lecture for the students of UII and UGM university in Kahar Mudzakkir Auditorium, Yogyakarta, on Monday (21/10).
The theme of the event is 'The Future of Emerging Markets: Brazil and the United Arab Emirates'. Indonesia's ambassador to Brazil Sudaryomo Hartosudarmo also presented his speech in the event which opened by Prof Dr Edy Suandi Hamid MEc.
Salman further said his country has been actively invested in energy development on other countries. Emirates, he claimed, also tried to create a unique achievement so people around the world always interested to visit and enjoy the country. Its main attractions are the tallest hotel, the biggest mall in the world so on.
"With regard to Indonesia, this country needs to develop its concept of economic diplomacy. Not only in term of concept but also the form of application," Salman said.
He saw, the economic diplomacy should be emphasized on target base.
"For instance, an ambassador should be in charge to pursue a specific target to generate investment to Indonesia. If the ambassador failed to do so, he or she has to resign," Salman added.
Currently, he revealed, textile products are still the main export of Indonesia to the UAE. "Even the UAE military uniforms are originated from Indonesia's Solo Sritek company," he said. Salman added, Indonesian furniture products also have high demand in UAE.
Despite having tremendous natural resources, he emphasized, UAE is the first country to setup nuclear and solar energy powers amongst Arab nations in Persian Gulf.
Emirates also developing energy related industry in other country. His nation, he claimed, always conducting researches to solve every obstacle.
"Thus, unlike Indonesia, which until now still enjoy a byar-pet electricity," he said.