Expats settle in N. Sulawesi

MANADO, Maluku: Expatriates from 31 countries, such as the United States, Australia, Slovakia and Yemen, have obtained permanent or temporary residence permits in North Sulawesi, Indonesia's northernmost province, this year.

Some 301 foreigners have been issued permanent residence permits this year and 2,238 others have been issued temporary residence permits, head of the local immigration office here, Yos Sudiro, said here yesterday.

The number of foreigners applying for such permits has been relatively stable, with 305 being issued permanent residence and 2,215 temporary residence permits in 1997.