Texmaco in Irian Jaya

JAKARTA (JP): Texmaco Group, a domestic producer of textiles and textile machinery, will develop sugar cane, cotton, cashew nuts and palm oil plantations in Merauke, Irian Jaya, the province's plantation agency head, Asmuni Cholil, said yesterday.

Cholil told Antara in the Irian Jaya capital of Jayapura that four Texmaco subsidiaries would develop the plantations.

He said PT Gula Cenderawasih Perdana had acquired 150,000 hectares for its sugar cane plantation in Merauke, PT Mutingkapas 50,000 hectares for its cotton plantation, PT Jambu Mete 50,000 hectares for its cashew nut plantation and PT Merauke Sawit Jaya 139,500 hectares for its palm oil plantation.

Besides managing the plantations, the four companies would establish factories to process their produce, he said.

Irian Jaya has attracted other palm oil plantation investors. The investors include Djajanti Group's PT Farita Majutama, Korindo Group's PT Tunas Sawa and Garuda Mas Group and Sinar Mas Group subsidiaries. (10)