Irian, Aussie firm tie up

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): The Foundation for Irian Jaya Development has signed an agreement to cooperate with Australian firm Unique Product Marketing Pty Ltd. to promote education and create jobs for the Irianese people, the province's governor said over the weekend.

Freddy Numberi told The Jakarta Post the province-sponsored foundation and the Brisbane-based company would promote the local people's skills in various sectors including fisheries, transportation, mining and scrapped metal collection.

He said the foundation would establish several companies which would be expected to receive financial, marketing and other technical assistance from the Australian firm.

He did not reveal when the cooperation was signed or for how long it would be effective. (34/jsk)