The Indonesian diaspora community in Qatar supports the “crowdfunding” effort for the development of the R80 turboprop aircraft designed by the Third Indonesian President, Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie (BJ Habibie).
The remarks were made by the Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar, Air Marshal (ret) Muhammad Basri Sidehabi in a meeting with the diaspora community and PT Regio Aviasi Industri (RAI) delegation led by Deputy Finance Director of Funding Rice, Desra Firza Ghazfan in Doha recently.
Chairman of the Indonesian Diasporas Network in Qatar (IDN-Q), Agri Sumara expressed an appreciation for the participation and support of the community for organising the successful R-80 socialisation event. The activity was part of visits by PT RAI to other Gulf countries such as Kuwait and Oman.
According to Desra Ghazfan, the R80 project needs funds but until now it has not been fulfilled yet.
There is also a 55 percent of R80 financing coming from the country, among others through non-financial investment financing (PINA), national private sector, crowdfunding and vendors.
“We hope that Indonesian diasporas can be the eyes, ears and hands for R80, to be able to provide information about opportunity, to be ambassadors of the R80 project, and to become a protector of its continuity,” said Desra.
He added that airlines such as NAM Air, Kalstar, Trigana Air and Aviastar have expressed their interest to book a total of up to 155 of R80 aircrafts through Letter of Interest (LOI). Orders from NAM Air are 100 units, Kalstar 25 units, Trigana Air 20 units and Aviastar 10 units.
According to the Indonesian Embassy’s Minister Counselor, Boy Dharmawan, crowdfunding is not solely about financing of the project, but efforts to tap the heart and to open the people minds on how importance the project for the future glory of the nation.
This project is also a goal of BJ Habibie for Indonesia to be able to create the aircraft independently.
