IPTN plan over production unit in U.S. wins support<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Senate minority leader Bob Dole (R) stands
\nbehind the IPTN plan to set up an aircraft production unit in the
\nUnited States, and hopes he can create jobs for his home state of
\nKansas in the process, State Minister of Research and Technology
\nB.J. Habibie says.<\/p>\n
\"Mr. Dole said that he hoped to see the project realized,\"
\nsaid Habibie, who is also president of IPTN (PT Industri Pesawat
\nTerbang Nusantara), to Indonesian newsmen after meeting the
\nAmerican politician on Capitol Hill, Washington D.C. Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\"Mr. Dole even recommended Kansas, his home-state, as the
\nproject site,\" Habibie said.<\/p>\n
The minister announced in February that IPTN will set up a
\nplant in the United States to manufacture and market the N-250, a
\ncommuter aircraft with a capacity of 70 passengers.<\/p>\n
IPTN already operates a marketing office in Seattle for the
\npromotion of the aircraft.<\/p>\n
The ambitious move has caused some controversy among
\nIndonesian business and finance analysts because IPTN has refused
\nto publicly disclosed the amount of capital required to finance
\nthe project.<\/p>\n
Habibie was also quoted as saying by Antara yesterday that the
\nN-250 move will \"enhance the nation's pride on the international
\nscene.\"<\/p>\n
Funding<\/p>\n
The minister again declined to specify how much government
\nmoney will be involved in the ambitious project.<\/p>\n
He did explain that 85 percent of N-250's components will be
\nproduced in the United States and Europe.<\/p>\n
The minister also stated that he hoped the project will be
\ncompleted by 1997.<\/p>\n
\"Within the next twenty years, the global demand for this type
\nof aircraft will reach 4,500 planes,\" Habibie added. \"If we can
\njust cover 10 percent of that demand, we will break even.\"<\/p>\n
There are no clear indications how much a finished N-250 will
\nsell for. Some analysts have said a likely price will be around
\nUS$13 million.<\/p>\n
IPTN will face competition in the commuter air market from
\nBritain and France, Habibie said.<\/p>\n
The minister, who has already spent one week in the United
\nStates, also plans to visit six more states, including Kansas,
\nAlabama, Utah, Arizona, Ohio and Oregon.<\/p>\n
Habibie is scheduled to return to Indonesia later this month.
\n(04)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/iptn-plan-over-production-unit-in-us-wins-support-1447899208",
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