Of course there are several issues which have become the focus of attention."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he is satisfied with the preparations being made for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Bali Province early next week.

"The president has inspected the APEC preparations. Overall, the head of state is extremely satisfied with the preparations," said presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha at the Presidential Palace on Friday.

Julian added that at present, the president is focused on the issues that would be discussed at the summit.

"Of course there are several issues which have become the focus of attention," Julian said.

He said the president has inspected the toll road and airport facilities which will support the international event, though there are several areas that need improvement.

"They are now ready for use. The toll road and airport have been inaugurated. Possibly, there are minor tasks that need to be done but we still have time to complete them," he added.

On Monday, President Yudhoyono inaugurated the Bali Mandara toll road which links Benoa, Nusa Dua, with the Ngurah Rai airport areas. The toll road, which spans 10 km, will serve as one of the supporting facilities in the implementation of APEC summit next October.

The construction of the 12.7-km toll road linking Benoa-Ngurah Rai-Nusa Dua on the island resort of Bali uses environmentally friendly methods to reduce environmental damage on the waters around Benoa Bay.

The construction of the road was undertaken by a project consortium comprising a number of state-owned companies: PT Jasa Marga Bali, PT Pelindo III, PT Angkasa Pura I, PT Pengembangan Pariwisata Bali, PT Wijaya Karya, PT Adhi Karya, and PT Hutama Karya.

The Bali toll road and the Simpang Siur underpass are expected to reduce heavy traffic congestion in the Indonesian island resort of Bali.

President Yudhoyono arrived in Denpasar earlier on Monday from Palembang, South Sumatra, after his working visit to open the Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) at Jaka Baring Sport Stadium.

Upon arrival, the head of state immediately checked the international arrival terminal facilities, for which renovation had begun in May 2011.

He checked the waiting lounge, passenger check-in and immigration service outlets and other facilities. Several cabinet ministers and Bali`s Governor Made Mangku Pastika accompanied the president.

The inspection lasted for around 45 minutes. President Yudhoyono also inspected the APEC Summit facilities at Sofitel Nusa Dua.

According to Angkasa Pura airport operator`s data, the development of the new Ngurah Rai airport costs Rp2.8 trillion. The project has been ongoing since May 2011, involving four thousand workers. The new airport is expected to accommodate up to 25 million passengers a year.

Located on a 285-hectare land, the new Ngurah Rai airport will operate an integrated baggage handling system.

The traffic at the airport increased by 9.34 percent in 2012 to 113,542 flights, from 103,846 flights in 2011.

The number of passengers in 2011, meanwhile, was recorded at 12,270,563 and in 2012, it rose to 14,175,580. The weight of cargo also increased from 62,150 tonnes in 2011 to 70,198 tonnes in 2012.
(Uu.A014/INE/KR-BSR/A/H-YH)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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