Investors eye N. Sumatra

JAKARTA (JP): Many Malaysian and Singaporean investors are expressing an interest in horticulture businesses in Simalungun regency, North Sumatra, a senior official has said.

The head of the agribusiness department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ato Suprapto, said Indonesia's horticulture industry showed promise, especially for exporting.

"Malaysian and Singaporean investors plan to develop a chili, cabbage, vegetable and fruit industry in Simalungun regency. They are still looking for local partners now," Ato said.

Singaporean investors were planning to cooperate with Indonesia's major agribusiness company PT Inagro to market vegetables from Simalungun, he said.

He said that local agribusiness investors should take the opportunity to cooperate with Singaporean and Malaysian companies, which have sophisticated methods for maintaining product quality after harvesting. (gis)