The location of the seaport is very strategic, hence the company considers it worthy of being included in the business expansion plan, according to general manager of the company, Jason Hang.
"This morning, we surveyed the Tanjung Carat Port. We see the location is very good," he said during a meeting with the Governor of South Sumatra, Herman Deru, at Griya Agung Palembang, after visiting the Tanjung Carat area on Thursday.
Another consideration is that Sumatra has abundant natural resources (SDA), including rubber latex, palm oil, coal, oil and gas, he explained.
"We really hope to participate in investment in Tanjung Carat Port because we see the potential of South Sumatra is very good. Hopefully, in the near future, we can cooperate by signing an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding)," he said.
Governor Deru welcomed the interest expressed by Shanxi International Economic & Technical Co. Ltd Indonesia in investing in the province.
The people of South Sumatra have long wanted a deep sea port, he said.
The deep sea port project has received approval to be included in the list of National Strategic Projects, he noted.
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In addition, the process of provision of land for the port, which will serve as an export gateway for South Sumatra, is being finalized, he said.
The South Sumatra authorities have resolved several principle issues in the construction of international seaports, such as land availability, road access, sea depth, and pier location, he added.
The government's main concern is the availability of funds, according to Deru.
Earlier, during a visit to Palembang, Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, had said the government will invite funding from the private sector to build Tanjung Carat Port in Banyuasin.
“It can be a domestic consortium or investors from abroad. This will be studied," he informed.
The groundbreaking for Tanjung Carat Port project was targeted for the end of 2021, but the target could not be achieved owing to a problem concerning land issues, the minister said. The port is planned to be built on an area of 1,330 hectares, he noted.
Tanjung Carat Port is expected to serve as an export gateway as so far, South Sumatra does not have a deep sea port, he added.
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Translator: Dolly Rosana, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
