Telecommunications in eastern regions
Telecommunications in eastern regions
JAKARTA (JP): The development of telecommunication and tourist
facilities in eastern provinces will be accelerated in
cooperation with foreign parties, Minister of Tourism, Post and
Telecommunications Joop Ave said.
He told reporters after a hearing with Commission V of the
House of Representatives yesterday that the development of the
facilities will be part of the government's programs on the
promotion of development in the provinces, which are economically
less developed than western provinces.
The government has set up a Council for the Development of
Eastern Indonesia, which yesterday held its first plenary session
at the Bina Graha presidential office. The council groups 13
ministers and a number of experts, including former governors of
eastern provinces.
Joop told Commission V members in yesterday's hearing that the
council has set up four working groups, which will work until
1998.
"I will, very soon, discuss with other council members the
details of telecommunications development programs because we
know that telecommunication facilities are vital for the
development of other business facilities," said Joop, who is a
member of the council.
He said that in the tourism industry, he will propose for the
establishment of new sub-regional cooperation with neighboring
countries.
Indonesia so far has established three sub-regional
cooperation involving Thailand and Malaysian in its western part,
Singapore and Malaysia in its northern part and Malaysia, Brunei
and the Philippines in its eastern part.
Joop said that Australia is inviting Indonesia to form an
Arafura cooperation area, which will involve Irian Jaya of
Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia itself.
"The idea is attractive and we can form other zones of sub-
regional cooperation in eastern parts of the country with other
Pacific countries," he said, adding that Indonesia, Papua New
Guinea and Australia have held a discussion on Australia's
proposal.
A second meeting to discuss the planned Arafura cooperation
zone will be held in Darwin later this month, he said. (icn)