Thais set to relocate `embassy row'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Royal Thai Embassy will soon join other
\nforeign missions in relocating its office to "embassy row" on Jl.
\nH.R. Rasuna Said, more popularly known as Jl. Kuningan.<\/p>\n
The embassy yesterday bought a plot, measuring 5,000 square
\nmeters, in the Grand Kuningan Diplomatic and Business Estate.<\/p>\n
The transaction was the culmination of three years of
\nnegotiations between the embassy and the estate's developers, PT
\nAbadi Guna Papan (AGP) and state-owned PT Rajawali Nusantara
\nIndonesia (RNI).<\/p>\n
It also includes the construction of the embassy building.<\/p>\n
The Thai embassy is currently located on Jl. Imam Bonjol in
\nthe Menteng district. However, the government has been
\nencouraging all embassies move to the Kuningan area as Menteng
\nwill soon be strictly zoned as a residential area.<\/p>\n
The estates' future diplomatic tenants are expected to number
\nat least 45. Other embassies which will relocate include the
\nRepublic of Singapore and the People's Republic of China.<\/p>\n
"We will start design and construction as soon as we know the
\nexact procedures required by city government," Ambassador Kasit
\nPiromya said after the signing yesterday.<\/p>\n
The president of RNI Sumargono said the transaction would
\nguarantee the land would be free of any claims from third parties
\nin the future.<\/p>\n
RNI and AGP would provide infrastructure and supporting
\nfacilities, and the embassy would determine the building's design
\nand structure, he said.<\/p>\n
Sumargono explained that the embassy would have to begin
\nconstruction within two years "otherwise the deal will have to be
\nreviewed".<\/p>\n
A marketing staff of Grand Kuningan, Dodit Ardimianto, said
\nthe Thai embassy paid $2,000 a square meter, well below the
\ncurrent market price of $2,500 a meter, because "they are our
\nfirst customers."<\/p>\n
General Manager of Grand Kuningan, Pudjojoko, explained that
\nRNI and AGP obtain an even share of 50 percent from their joint
\noperations.<\/p>\n
RNI deals with legal matters, such as land acquisition, and
\nAGP -- a subsidiary of the Bimantara Citra Group -- manages the
\ntechnology and development aspects of the estate, he said.<\/p>\n
The Bimantara Citra Group is owned by President Soeharto's son
\nBambang Trihatmodjo.<\/p>\n
Grand Kuningan covers a total area of 50 hectares. Some 30
\nhectares have been allocated for buildings and commercial use and
\n40 percent for infrastructure and supporting facilities.<\/p>\n
Sumargono said that of the 30 hectares, only seven hectares
\nhave been sold. "We expect the rest to be sold within the next
\nthree years," he said. (pwn)<\/p>",
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