Semitau, W Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - The oil palm plantation intensification program in West Kalimantan district of Kapuas Hulu especially in Semitau sub-district, which shares the border with Malaysia has increased the local people`s income, a spokesman said.

"Since the last two years, the amount of money in circulation has increased at the Semitau branch office of regional development bank (BPD) from 20 to 30 percent compared to the previous corresponding period," said Burhanudin, deputy head of the Semitau BPD branch office here recently.

The BPD branch office and oil palm plantations estate, Sinar Mas Group have been cooperating in paying the salaries of the oil palm plantations companies totaling 130 billion rupiah per month, according to Burhanuddin.

The amount of money in circulation in the Semitau branch office of BPD consisting of the rubber plantation sector by 25 percent, the arwana fish breeding 25 percent, oil palm plantations sector 20-25 per cent and the rest such as savings, current accounts and deposits 25 percent, he said.

In addition, the representative of Kapuas Hulu district Sinar Mas group, Margonoto confirmed that his company has been cooperating with the local BPD branch office in paying the employees` salaries of the company.

"We just transfer an amount of money to the local BPD for the employees` salaries at four estates," Margonoto said, adding that some of the 130 billion rupiah was also used for the company`s investment.

Margonoto also expressed optimism that the amount of money in circulation in the region will be much bigger so that it can bring prosperity to the local people.

The Sinar Mas Group, which began its operation in Kapuas Hulu District in 2007, was expected to reach its first harvest in 2012.

Kapuas Hulu`s width is about 29,850 square kilometers, 56.51 percent of which had been allocated for conservation.(*)

(A057/f001/H-NG/a014)

Editor: Ruslan Burhani
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