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)