RI supports privatization of tin research body

RI supports privatization of tin research body

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia supports the privatization of the
London-based International Tin Research Institute (ITRI), which
is now under the management of the Association of Tin Producing
Countries (ATPC), to improve its services to tin users throughout
the world.

"Most of the ATPC members have agreed to the privatization of
the institution and a draft ruling on the privatization scheme is
now under final consideration," Erry Riana Hardjapamekas,
president of the state-owned tin miner PT Tambang Timah, told
reporters during a break of the third world conference on tin
here yesterday.

The two-day meeting, which ended yesterday, was organized by
the London-based Metal Bulletin.

He said that the institute, set up in 1932 to provide services
to the tin industry, is financed by the governments of tin
producing countries.

"With the privatization, the governments will terminate their
regular contributions for the institution's operations," Erry
told The Jakarta Post.

"I cannot give details of the new scheme for privatization,
because it is still under preparation," he added, hoping that
the next ministerial conference of the ATPC, scheduled for
September this year in Bangkok, will approve the draft ruling on
the privatization.

Tambang Timah's director for exploration and development,
Mulyadi Nitiwisastro, said Indonesia pays over 660,000 pounds a
year in contributions to the operations of the institute.

For the ATPC, Indonesia pays a contribution of US$100,000 a
year.

Visiting ITRI director, B.T.K. Barry, conceded that the
current research and development programs of the institute are
all influenced to a greater or lesser degree by environmental
issues.

"This year, for example, we see a successful completion of the
first phase of a program to develop tin-based lead-free solders
for the electronics industry," he added.

The soldering sector is today the largest single market for
tin in the world, consuming some 60,000 tons per year, he said.

Barry said the institute also recently developed a new process
for producing high-tin, lead-free capsules for the wine and
spirits industries. (fhp)