PTPN to build sugar mill

JAKARTA (JP): A consortium comprising five state-owned plantation companies (PTPN) plans to build and operate a sugar mill in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi.

The companies are PTPN VII in Lampung, PTPN X in Surabaya (East Java), PTPN IX in Semarang (Central Java) and PTPN XIV Kendari, Antara reported.

"The project is expected to cost Rp 300 billion (US$104.52 million) in investment," PTPN XI's secretary Saleh Brotoyuwono was quoted as saying yesterday.

Saleh said the project would involve private companies, such as PT Bermis, and was currently in the process of being negotiated. The new plant would be the fourth sugar plant in the area, he said. (das)