Food supplies a major concern for RI

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Production and Distribution Hartarto said yesterday that food and power supplies are critical issues that Indonesia will face over the next decade,

Even though Indonesia has posted 7 percent economic growth per year for the last 28 years, 14 million people still live below the poverty line, Hartarto told a Queensland trade delegation.

Queensland Economic Development Minister Dough Slack, who led the delegation, said that Indonesia's drive to sustain economic growth and lift the people's average income provides opportunities for Queensland exporters.

"Queensland and Indonesia have many things in common. We can assist in exporting our agricultural products and services, among other exports, to Indonesia to assist in their drive for economic growth," Slack said.

Representatives from the Queensland Sugar Corporation, Bundaberg Sugar, James Hardie Industries, Evans Deakin Industries as well as the hotel services and legal sectors are attending the six-day mission to Jakarta and Central Java.

The Queensland Sugar Corporation said it is ready to sell more sugar to Indonesia's refineries, while Bundaberg Sugar said it is ready to provide expertise in the establishment of sugar mills.

At the meeting, Hartarto said that Indonesia is planning to relocate its sugar industry from the island of Java to less populated areas in the country.

Delegation member Trevor Perett offered Hartarto the Queensland government's assistance in mounting an inspection tour of Queensland's primary industries sector.

Meanwhile, AUSTA Electric has moved a step closer to a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia's state-owned power generation and transmission company, PLN, following talks between the two companies yesterday.

Slack said that AUSTA is positioning itself to assist Indonesia in generating much needed electricity for the country. (hen)