Big plans for Natuna Islands<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Natuna Islands, which are strategically
\nlocated near a busy international shipping lane in the South
\nChina Sea, are to be developed into one of Indonesia's major
\neconomic growth centers on the basis of the plantation industry
\nand the government's resettlement program.<\/p>\n
Minister of Transmigration Siswono Yudohusodo told the Antara
\nnews agency yesterday that the major considerations behind the
\nplan are security and defense rather than commercial, although
\nthere is strong potential for the latter.<\/p>\n
Natuna, a largely barren island which is part of Riau
\nprovince, is Indonesia's northernmost territory in the South
\nChina Sea. A small military base is located on the island.<\/p>\n
The waters around Natuna contain what officials claim is the
\nworld's largest natural gas reservoir.<\/p>\n
There have been concerns in recent years about the heightening
\nof tensions in the nearby Spratly Islands, whose sovereignty is
\nbeing contested by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, the
\nPhilippines and Brunei. In addition, Indonesia and Vietnam are in
\ndispute as to the location of their border in the South China
\nSea, just to the north of the Natunas.<\/p>\n
Siswono said the transmigration program envisaged for the
\nNatuna Islands for the next 10 to 15 years will support the
\ngovernment's security and defense program. Given its strategic
\nlocation near a busy international shipping lane, the Natunas
\ndeserve more attention from the government, he said.<\/p>\n
The ministry is planning to develop the plantation business on
\na large scale, using the nucleus-small holders scheme. Under the
\nscheme, a major plantation company acts as supervisor and helps
\nwith marketing and with the management of plantation areas owned
\nby settlers.<\/p>\n
The government is also considering the development of shrimp
\nponds and fishing enterprises under the same scheme, he said.<\/p>\n
Siswono said the cash crops being considered include oil palm
\nand rubber, in line with the recommendations of a recent
\nfeasibility study on the soil conditions of the islands.<\/p>\n
He said the PT Djayanti Group is expected to take part in the
\nendeavor. The group is partly controlled by tycoon Sudwikatmono.<\/p>\n
Work on the project has already begun.<\/p>\n
The government is currently developing 15,000 hectares of oil
\npalm plantation which will eventually be managed by about 10,000
\nfamilies of transmigrants, the minister said.<\/p>\n
The island is said to be capable of accommodating 40,000
\nhectares of palm oil plantation.<\/p>\n
Some 600 families of pioneers, sent to the islands 10 years
\nago, have had great success in the cultivation of oil palm
\nplantation, he said.<\/p>\n
The minister said Natuna's location would also be advantageous
\nfrom a marketing point of view because of its proximity to
\npotential markets, such as the Philippines, Japan, Singapore and
\nHong Kong.<\/p>\n
Produce from Natuna will be competitive with that offered by
\nMalaysia, he said. (emb)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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