Govt to help Sampoerna invest in Papua

The government will assist the Sampoerna family in setting up sugar plantations and processing plants in Merauke, Papua, after the they handed over their empire to cigarette giant Philip Morris in February.

Minister of Agriculture Anton Apriyantono said his ministry would meet the Sampoerna family later this month to discuss the possibility of them becoming engaged in the sugar businesses, with the government pledging to assist them set up the new operation.

"Merauke is a very remote area. My ministry and other related agencies will help Sampoerna in preparing the necessary infrastructure and workers," said Anton at the State Palace on Thursday.

The minister said the assistance was not only for Sampoerna, but also for the sake of development in the country's most eastern and underdeveloped regency.

The Sampoerna family has been reportedly planning to invest some of its money in 120 hectares of land in Papua for sugar cane plantations and processing. -- JP