U.S. awards grant to Batam

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)