Kutai to build international airport

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: The government is planning to build an international airport in Kutai Kartanegara regency, East Kalimantan, a regent said on Friday. The airport construction will cost the state some Rp 1.4 trillion (US$140 million), said Kutai Kartanegara regent Syaukani. The regent, who was visiting Makassar city in South Sulawesi, did not elaborate on the source of funding for the project. He said the regental government would prepare some 1,300 hectares of land for the airport construction, which is estimated to last two years.

The airport construction is expected to be completed in 2008.

Kutai Kartanegara is a resource-rich province with the majority of its revenues coming from coal and other mineral extractions. Its budget over the past few years has been the largest among the regental administrations across the nation, giving it leeway to improve education and health services in the regency. -- Antara