Phone firms to go global

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave has urged Indonesian telecommunications firms to seek jobs in other countries in cooperation with foreign partners.

"It's time for us to get involved in the development of overseas telecommunications projects," Joop said in a ceremony for the signing of an agreement here Friday on the equity participation of the state-owned PT Telkom in PT Aplikanusa Lintasartha.

Lintasartha was established in 1988 by Indosat, private banks and a number of foundations and cooperatives to develop several telecommunications projects in cooperation with Telkom.

By injecting fresh funds of Rp 12 billion, Telkom now controls a stake of 25 percent. Indosat 18.8 percent, while the remaining shares are owned by cooperatives and foundations affiliated with the telecommunications firms and state-owned banks.

Joop said the country's telecommunications firms have been capable of competing against international companies to win projects overseas.

Indonesian telecommunications firms have been involved in several projects in developing countries, including Indochinese nations.

Indosat, the international telecommunication operator, for instance, recently won a bid to carry out a $15 million refurbishment of Cambodia's telephone networks. (icn)