Government studying plans to open free trade zones<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): The Ministry of Industry and Trade is studying
\nthe possibility of establishing free trade zones in Sabang,
\nDumai, Batam, Bintan, Karimun, Natuna, Bitung, Morotai and Biak.<\/p>\n
Minister Luhut P. Panjaitan said here on Tuesday that the
\nfirst studies would be carried out in Batam (Riau) and Sabang
\n(North Sumatra) early next month.<\/p>\n
He was in Bandung to speak at a seminar to commemorate the
\n10th anniversary of the Indonesian Managers Association's West
\nJava chapter.<\/p>\n
\"Soon after the first study is completed, scheduled for
\nNovember, the next studies will be on Bitung (North Sulawesi),
\nMorotai (Maluku) and Biak (Irian Jaya), and three months after
\nFebruary the next studies are to be conducted,\" he said. But he
\ndid not detail the studies.<\/p>\n
In another part of his statement, Luhut said the government
\nhad allocated a total of Rp 500 billion for a credit scheme for
\nsmall and medium-scale businesses.<\/p>\n
\"The central government cooperated with the provincial offices
\nof the Ministry of Industry and Trade in selecting needy
\nbusinesses,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"A firm with a good track record, and which has overseas
\nbuyers and is able to export, is eligible for a loan,\" he said,
\nadding that the scheme began last month and would end in
\nDecember.<\/p>\n
Loans have been distributed to businessmen in Bali, East and
\nCentral Java, Yogyakarta and Cirebon, he said.<\/p>\n
He said Bank Mandiri had agreed to set aside Rp 4.5 billion
\nfor the program. Bank Rakyat Indonesia and Jasindo, in
\ncooperation with a Dutch bank, have also expressed willingness to
\nhelp the scheme. (25\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-studying-plans-to-open-free-trade-zones-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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