"We hope Mandala operations suspension will not spread to our state-owned airline companies like Merpati," he said here on Friday.
He said Merpati had improved its new business plan. "Within three months they will be ready to carry it out," he said after accompanying President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono launching a national campaign to deal with climate change problems themed "Let US Face Climate Anomalies Jointly."
Mustafa said Merpati`s performance is improving and has been able to book a profit of dozen billions within six month operations in 2010.
Merpati has received an export credit from foreign banks worth Rp2-3 trillion. "They have received an export credit from a Chinese Bank and have even been given a special account," he said.
The export credit, he said, would be used to increase its fleet and rationalize its old planes.
Regarding the initial stock sales of Garuda shares the minister meanwhile hoped more domestic investors would buy them.
"We hope for as many domestic investors as possible buying the shares. Open a lot of retails so that we can buy them. Garuda is our pride and that is why we are also proud to have symbol of Garuda on our chest," he said.
Mustafa said several state-owned companies operating in plantation, forestry, construction and pharmaceutical sectors also planned to go public soon.
"Originally we are targeting seven to 10 state-owned companies in the first quarter this year. But because a lot of problems remain especially relating to legal matters the prospect for even three let alone seven is still uncertain," he said.
He said the market response to state-owned company shares was very good. "Indeed only four percent of the total number of state-owned companies have gone public but they have been able to control 26 percent of market capitalization. We must be grateful that our capital market, thank God, has performed very well and even the best in the world," he said.`(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
