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Subject: [INDONESIA-B] ST - Karimun Launch Reaffirms Pledge ...
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From owner-indonesia-b@indopubs.com Wed Mar 19 17:16:51 1997
Date: Wed, 19 Mar 1997 15:14:20 -0700 (MST)
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Subject: [INDONESIA-B] ST - Karimun Launch Reaffirms Pledge ...
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INDONESIA-B
X-URL: http://www.asia1.com.sg/straitstimes/pages/stsea2.html
[LINK] MAR 18 1997
Karimun launch reaffirms pledge to work for mutual benefits
PRIME Minister Goh Chok Tong and President Suharto, their hands
placed side by side on a sensor-panel, set off sirens, launched
balloons skywards and signalled yesterday that Singapore and
Indonesia were moving into a new area of bilateral co-operation on
Karimun island.
Although the ceremony on the island, some 40 km south-west of
Singapore, was simple, officials said it served to illustrate the
continuing commitment both sides had made to engaging in activities
that would improve the well-being of people in the two countries.
Mr Goh expressed confidence that the multi-million-dollar Karimun
Marine and Industrial Complex would be a "resounding success",
while Mr Suharto described projects planned for the island as
important in supporting the nation's shipping fleet and for
sustaining oil exploration in Indonesia and the surrounding areas.
Indeed officials responsible for the industrial complex and those
of its first major tenant -- PT Karimun Sembawang Shipyard -- have
been keen to emphasise the attractiveness of the island's location
in the Malacca Straits as being a strong draw for shipyards,
fabrication works, oil storage facilities and heavy engineering
industries.
As if to underscore the point, Indonesia's Co-ordinating Minister
for Production and Distribution Hartarto disclosed at yesterday's
ceremony that a South Korean investor was keen to set up a shipyard
at the island -- a move welcomed by Mr Tan Mong Seng, chairman of
the Sembawang Engineering and Construction Group which has been
operating a joint-venture shipyard in Karimun since last year.
Sembawang officials also announced that a Memorandum of
Understanding had been signed between the group, Indonesia's Salim
conglomerate and Japan's Tomen Corporation to develop an oil tank
terminal at a 44 ha plot next to where the shipyard currently
operates.
The oil facility, with an expected investment of between S$100
million and S$200 million, will have a storage capacity of up to
six million barrels.
Final cost and storage figures will however be confirmed only after
a feasibility study is made.
The timing of both announcements appeared aimed at reinforcing the
viability of Karimun as a new development area for heavy industry,
especially marine-related activities.
Sembawang Industrial Corporation's Lai Chun Loong told reporters
that discussions were being held with about 12 potential clients to
set up operations in Karimun. They included shipyards and heavy
engineering firms from Japan and Korea.
In welcoming such developments, Mr Tan said the entry of more firms
would also give the island the necessary critical mass for the
establishment of supporting, anxiliary and specialist industries.
This would in turn enhance competitiveness among those operating on
Karimun as well as enable a larger pool of skilled labour to reside
on the island.
Riau province Governor Soeripto pledged his administration's
fullest support and noted that co-operative ventures between
Indonesia and Singapore, such as in Batam and Bintan, had already
had a significant impact -- including greater employment
opportunities and the growth of local businesses.