TRENDS Research and Advisory is participating in the 44th edition of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, which is taking place from 25th to 29th September at Jakarta Convention Centre.

TRENDS' pavilion features over 300 titles in various fields of knowledge and utilises the latest technologies, including AI, hologram and robots, in partnership with Aletihad News Centre as the media partner.

The Indonesia International Book Fair management honoured TRENDS, the primary sponsor of the book fair, in recognition of its presence and valuable research contributions to the event.

On the first day of the book fair, TRENDS organised a symposium titled "Building Bridges and Shaping the Future: GCC Relations with Southeast Asian Countries".

Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, said the economic cooperation between the GCC countries and Southeast Asia offers immense potential. By establishing a free trade zone, he suggested, the two regions can boost trade and investment, creating new job opportunities. Additionally, cooperation in the field of renewable energy can contribute to achieving sustainable development goals and enhancing energy security in the region, Al-Ali added.

The first session of the symposium was moderated by researcher Mohammed Al-Salmi, Head of the Research Sector at TRENDS, who emphasised that building bridges between nations is an investment in the future.

Kicking off the discussions, Dr. Fithra Faisal Hastiadi, Economic Adviser - Senior Economist at PT Samuel Sekuritas Indonesia, Former Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Trade, Republic of Indonesia, focused on the future of economic cooperation between ASEAN and GCC countries, highlighting the rapid economic growth in ASEAN, driven by a large, young, and educated workforce, coupled with strategic geographic positioning. He underscored areas of potential collaboration, including infrastructure investment and renewable energy.

Dr. Hamad Al-Kaabi, CEO of Aletihad News Centre and Editor-in-Chief of Aletihad Newspaper, focused on the power of the media in promoting Gulf-Southeast Asia ties. He emphasised that relations between the GCC and ASEAN countries have developed significantly in recent years, built on solid foundations of shared interests and a desire for growth and prosperity.