Camera plant to be built in Ujungpandang

JAKARTA (JP): Businessman Ande Abdul Latief of PT Tiga Utama, an agent providing haj and umrah (lesser pilgrimage) services, has signed an agreement with Bermuda firm NimsTec to build a factory to produce 3-D image producing cameras, printing material and machines in Indonesia.

Ande said the construction of the US$30-million project would start in May on a one-hectare plot in Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi.

Under the deal with NimsTec Limited, Ande's new firm, PT Makassar Asia-Pasifik Utama, will be NimsTec's sole agent in the Asia-Pacific.

"Therefore, we're also studying several countries in this region which may become potential markets for our products which are quite convenient for commercial photographs," he said.

"Before the completion of the plant in Ujungpandang, we'll introduce the 3-D cameras to the local market and operate several printing machines in Jakarta beginning next month," Ande said.

Three thousand cameras will arrive on March 26 and be given to Tiga Utama's haj pilgrims for free, Ande said.

Ande refused to say how much the cameras would cost after that or how much the printing machines or the completion of his new project would cost.

NimsTec executive director Jerry C. Nims said the four-lens built-in flash pocket camera cost below US$100 in the U.S. and the printing cost for the three-dimensional images was around $1 for a postcard-size print.

NimsTec's products include a printer, enlarger, the automatic four-lens pocket camera, flash, motor drive for ordinary professional cameras, and two other types of cameras. They are currently manufactured at its plant in China.

"I hope the completion of our plant in Ujungpandang will allow us to offer competitive prices to NimsTec's customers," Ande said.

Nims said he and his team had spent 25 years developing the 3- D photography system.

"Unlike the ordinary printing machines for 2-D images, our 3-D computerized printing machine needs no chemical substances and no skilled people to operate," he said.

The film to be used in the 3-D cameras is a 135 mm negative, similar to those used by ordinary cameras.

"But ASA 200 film is recommended," said Nims.

Because of its 3-D system, an image needs three negative films compared to only one required for one shot from an ordinary camera.

"A roll of 36 films, for example, could only be used for 11 shots," Ande said.

Nims said the 3-D prints could last longer than ordinary prints because of the lenticular optical material used to process the prints.

A group of NimsTec experts would train Indonesian staff, who would be placed at the new plant, Nims said.

Ande said he had received the green light from local authorities to build the plant. (bsr)