Qatar Airways, which is wholly owned by the Qatari government, has signed a deal with the Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) to become a full sponsor of the quadrennial sporting event.

The signing of the sponsorship agreement was led by INASGOC chairman Erick Thohir and Qatar’s Ambassador to Indonesia Ahmed bin Jassim Al-Hamar at the Merdeka Selatan vice presidential palace in Jakarta. Vice President Jusuf Kalla witnessed the signing.

According to Erick, the sponsorship deal was worth US$6 million.

In addition to that, Qatar Airways will provide aircraft to transport 40 horses to be used in Asiad sporting events. With its full sponsor status, the airline acquires the rights to install its billboards inside soccer stadiums.

Erick said the sponsorship deal was in line with Qatar’s strategy to promote the country prior to 2022, when it hosts the World Cup.

“It emphasizes their trust in Indonesia in organizing the Asian Games,” he said, while extending his appreciation to Qatar for trusting INASGOC.

The Qatari ambassador said the agreement signified the close relationship between the two countries.

The vice president, meanwhile, said the deal could help make the 2018 Asian Games a success and increase brand awareness of Qatar Airways in the region.

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