Resources remain untapped in Padang

PADANG, West Sumatra: Academics here have called on the government and the private sector to make full use of the vast potential of the province's chemical and medicine industries.

Andalas University rector Marlis Rahman said on Sunday that West Sumatra had abundant resources, however they were still underutilized.

"West Sumatra has unlimited natural resources for the chemical industry, but they haven't been exploited yet," Marlis told Antara.

He predicted that with proper management, the industry could grow to its full potential within five years.

Therefore, Marlis called for good cooperation between the local administration and universities to explore and exploit the resources.(09)