"We project cement production to reach 6,000 tons per year from PT Gama Group and Siam Cement Group which will operate as of 2013," Chief of the Lebak District Integrated Licensing Service Office (KPPT) Hari Setiono said on Sunday.
He said the presence of the Thai company to invest trillions of rupiahs in the cement industry can boost the local people`s economy as well as regional revenues.
In addition, the investment will also create job opportunities for thousands of local workers, he added.
He positively welcomed any company to invest in Lebak district and expected the presence of the Thai company will have a direct impact on the local people`s welfare.
He said the regional administration will ease the licencing procedure and provide security assurance to the cement investor.
"Right now we have established cooperation with the Thai investor to build a cement factory," he added.
He said PT Gama Group has met all licencing requirements including building construction permit and environment licence to build the cement factory in Bayah and Cilograng sub-districts using 2.500 hectares of land.
However, PT Siam Cement Group still has to fulfill several of licencing requirements.
"We believe both cement factories, which will become the biggest in Indonesia, can fulfill demand from the national market in 2013," he said.
Hari said demand for cement in the domestic market is relatively high to support the construction of infrastructures and facilities.
Moreover, the government has launched a `Master Plan for the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesia`s Economic Development (MPE3I) program, he said.
"We hope Lebak will be the largest cement supplier for the national market," he said.
Head of the engineering division of PT Gama Group, Handy, said the cement factory will be built starting January 2013 in Bayah and Cilograng sub-districts.
PT Gama Group, the largest cement factory in Indonesia, has targeted to produce four million tons of cement per year.
The company will produce cement using limestone and clay which is abundant in Lebak. The two materials can exploited for tens of years.
In addition, PT Gama Group also has set up a limestone and clay grinding plant in Ciwandan, Cilegon City.
"We have two cement factories in Lebak and Cilegon," he said. (B019/S012)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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