U.S. awards grant to Batam

JAKARTA (JP): The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) awarded a grant of US$483,500 for the feasibility study on the wastewater treatment plant on the island of Batam, Riau, the U.S. embassy in Jakarta said.

The grant was awarded by TDA's director J. Joseph Grandmaison to Batam Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) chairman Ismeth Abdullah in a ceremony at the embassy on Tuesday, the embassy announced.

"We recognize the priority which Batam Industrial Development Authority places on this project and seek to support BIDA's efforts to mitigate effects of industrial development, following their efforts to improve the environment and the health of the population of Batam and the surrounding areas, including Singapore," Grandmaison said.

The study is valued at $966,965 million, including $157,000 in-kind participation by BIDA and $326,465, jointly funded by U.S.firm Columbus Newport LLC, McLean, Virginia.

Columbus Newport will conduct the study on behalf of BIDA, the embassy said. (jsk)