East Timor's cement project

JAKARTA (JP): PT Bangun Timor Indonesia Pratama will construct a cement plant with a production capacity of 2.3 million tons per year in East Timor an official said.

"The plant construction investment fund will be derived from local sources. The governor has officially approved the plan and expects the company to realize these plans soon," said Mateus Maia, an East Timor provincial mining office official, according to Antara reports from Dili yesterday.

Details about the amount of funding being sought for the construction, and when the plant -- the first in the province -- is likely to begin operations, have not yet been reported.

Raw materials from three regencies -- Baucau, Laga, and Quilikai will supply the plant. "With the planned production capacity, these three regencies will be able to supply enough raw materials for about the next 100 years," he said.

The provincial administration will build supporting infrastructures for the plant, such as roads, electricity facilities and a port. (bnt)