Realization of 20 megaprojects

Realization of 20 megaprojects

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro
Jakti has reportedly disclosed that 20 national megaprojects
worth US$300 billion will be implemented between now and 2005.
This positive news has emerged amid an increasing number of
corruption cases.

At least three megaprojects will be undertaken with the
support of Japanese assistance in 2002. The three big projects
involving US$1.3 billion in investments consist of a
petrochemical plant in Tuban, the Paiton III and IV power plant
extensions in Probolinggo and the Tanjung Jati power plant, all
in East Java.

Japan has promised to disburse the financial assistance for
the three projects between June and September of this year, said
Dorodjatun during discussions with businessmen grouped in the
East Java Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadinda) in
Surabaya recently.

He said Japan had shown great interest in financing the
megaprojects thanks to its satisfaction on seeing the completion
of the Paiton project without involving brokers.

The problem now is how to maintain the momentum and the
critical attitude of Indonesian lobbyists so as to speed up
recovery from the economic crisis. The resumption of
construction work in these megaprojects should make a big
contribution to the country's foreign exchange earnings, besides
creating jobs for local workers.

In various cases, government representatives or national
businessmen in foreign investment companies have tended to be
passive or easily satisfied with the percentage of their shares.
There is an impression that they lack a critical attitude, for
instance, towards the possibility that foreign investors will buy
imported products from their country or companies at high prices,
higher than the prevailing prices.

Thus, the ability to attract foreign investors should be
followed up by a critical attitude towards every development in
companies so as to avoid a further prolongation of the crisis.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta