Lebak, Banten (ANTARA News) - A Chinese investor wants to build a cement factory in Lebak , Banten, a local official said.

The project will open thousands of jobs for local people and will certainly contribute to increasing the district income, head of the investment sector of the regional development planning board Agianto Ahmad Tahir said in Rangkasbitung, on Tuesday.

Agianto said the regional income of the district could reach Rp2.5 billion per year if the project is implemented as scheduled in the Muncang sub-district.

Currently the Chinese investor is studying the location where the factory is to be built and the district administration has prepared land for the project.

The district administration has continued to seek to attract investors both local and foreign investors to do business in the district area.

New investment would certainly help boost development of the district economy and create more jobs for local people, Agianto said.

The district administration has improved facilities and infrastructure in the area and simplified licensing procedure and improved security, he added.

"I think with improved facilities and infrastructure the district could attract investors to exploit the natural resources in this area," he said.

He said in 2013-2014 five new cement factories are expected to be operational in the regency of Lebak.

In 2013, PT Gama Group and PT Balindo plan to build cement factories and three other companies are expected to follow in 2014, he said.

The cement projects valued at tend of trillion rupiahs will be located in the sub-districts of Bayah and Cilograng.

The license for the five cement factory projects have been issued by the district administration and construction is in progress.

Agianto said the district administration will welcome any investors wanting to do business in the area.

He said many investors have been eying business in mining, such as galena rock, quartz sand, and coal mining and in geothermal power development.

The regency of Lebak is rich in natural resources yet untapped, he said.

Meanwhile, local companies welcome plans by investors to build more cement factories in the district that they do not have to rely on suppliers from other regions in the country.

In addition, investors are also expected to be interested in doing business in agricultural, tourism , plantation and livestock sectors, he said. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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