French investor to build hydro power plant in West Aceh
Thursday, 05 November 2015, 21:12 WIB
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MEULABOH -- Investors from France will build a hydro power plant with a capacity of 59 megawatts in Sikundo, Pante Ceureumen, West Aceh district, Aceh province.
A representative of the Management Consortium of the Aceh Hydro Power, Stephan, said on Thursday that the investment value of the project is pegged at US$50 million.
"The project is being carried out through collaboration between the consortium and the state-owned electricity company (PLN) and its subsidiary. It is not just a foreign investor. The development process depends on the results of geological studies," he said.
According to Stephan, the plan for the construction of the hydroelectric power plant has been explored since 2011.
He further said the utilization of renewable energy sources and environmentally friendly energy is aimed at meeting the energy needs of business and potential investors, especially in Aceh Barat.
The Head of Environment and Hygiene (BLHK), Teuku Fuadi added that the hydroelectric plant utilizes the Meureubo river streams, which are connected with the Beutong Ateuh river, Nagan Raya.
After all the environmental impact assessment process has been completed and accepted by the community, and the project will be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Forestry.
"There are about 54.3 hectares, which are included in protected forest areas that have proposed to the Ministry for License for Borrow and Use of Forest (IPPH). We don't know yet whether the project will be implemented in 2016 or 2017," Teuku said.
French investor to build hydro power plant in West Aceh | Republika Online
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Indonesia's GDP at 4.73 percent in Q3
Kamis, 05 November 2015 / 19:38 WIB
JAKARTA. Indonesia's economy grew by 4.73 percent in the third quarter of 2015, a slower growth rate compared to the same period last year, which was 5.01 percent, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).
The growth rate improved however, compared to this year's second quarter, in which the country's economy recorded growth of 3.21 percent.
"Judging economic growth on a quarter per quarter basis, the third quarter's growth rate was faster than the second and first quarters. Hopefully it is a turning point for our economy," BPS deputy head of balance and statistics analysis, Kecuk Suhariyanto, told a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday.
The 4.73 percent growth rate in the third quarter was lower than Bank Indonesia's prediction, which said that the country's growth would stand at 4.9 percent.
Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro also predicted Indonesia's GDP would grow by 4.85 percent in this year's third quarter.
Indonesia’s economy is measured based on the volume of the gross domestic product (GDP), which is based in turn on prices valid in the third quarter of 2015 and constant prices in 2010. The figures reached Rp 2.98 quadrillion (US$219.44 billion) and Rp 2.31 quadrillion, respectively.
On the production side, said Suhariyanto, the growth of Indonesia’s GDP in the third quarter was supported by almost all business sectors. Among the highest contributors included the information and communications sector, which grew by 10.83 percent year-on-year (yoy), the financial and insurance service sectors (10.35 percent) and education services (8.25 percent).
“Excluding mining excavation, all sectors recorded positive growth,” he added.
On the spending side, Indonesia’s economic growth was supported by almost all components. The highest growth rate was achieved by government consumption spending, which rose by 6.56 percent (yoy).
“Government consumption spending in the third quarter was much better than last year's third quarter, which only stood at 1.33 percent,” said Suhariyanto.
BPS also reported that Indonesia’s economic structure in the third quarter of 2015 was dominated by provincial groups in Java and Sumatra. Bali and Nusa Tenggara recorded the highest growth at 11.75 percent compared to the previous quarter. Meanwhile, Kalimantan's growth contracted 0.41 percent.
“East Kalimantan suffered the worst contraction with 3.49 percent,” he said. (Ayomi Amindoni)
Indonesia's GDP at 4.73 percent in Q3
Finland to explore cooperation in electric bus
Rabu, 04 November 2015 / 23:39 WIB
JAKARTA. The Jakarta Provincial Government is exploring opportunities to cooperate with Finland's government in the field of electric bus technology and waste water management.
The statement was delivered by Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama after receiving the President of Finland, Sauli Niinisto, here on Wednesday.
"We discussed the electric bus issue. Finland already has the electric bus technology," Basuki Tjahaja Purnama said here on Wednesday.
If the electric bus technology can be implemented in Jakarta, it can be used for Transjakarta buses or other buses operating in the capital city.
"By operating an electric bus, we can save energy," he said.
"Finland has set a target to phase out vehicles using fuel by 2050. Therefore, we want to try this technology," he said.
In addition, he stated, the two sides discussed in their meeting the issue of waste water management technology, which is applied in Finland.
"Finland is one of the countries that has best management of waste water. We can learn from them," he remarked.
As a follow up to the meeting, he instructed PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro) to carry out the project as a business-to-business scheme.
"We will appoint Jakpro to follow up the issue of cooperation with the Finnish in terms of waste water management. The cooperation is expected to be realized in 2016," he said.
Finland to explore cooperation in electric bus
Govt eyes Rp 130 T investment in border area
Rabu, 04 November 2015 / 07:07 WIB
JAKARTA. The government plans to attract investments worth Rp 130 trillion (US$9.6 billion) to border areas in the next five years to help propel development there.
“We will work hard to attract investment to border areas as they are the gates of international trade, the main routes for cross-border transportation and central to economic development,” said Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Minister Marwan Jafar on Tuesday.
According to Marwan, special regulation was key, especially for easing the process of attaining permits. Although the regulation could be issued as a ministerial regulation or presidential instruction, Marwan said he would prefer a separate law.
“We can draft a law on disadvantaged-regions development and add a special investment regulation for border areas as part of it,” Marwan told thejakartapost.com.
He also said that regional governments in border areas were all in support of his plan. They enthusiastically welcomed the development plans he said, agreeing that investment would indeed benefit them.
"Three governors and 12 regents from Kalimantan and Riau Islands have signed a memorandum of understanding with the ministry," said Marwan.
The ministry has started developing infrastructure in border areas this year, including comprehensive integrated transmigration to border areas. In the near future, it plans to develop integrated plantations and livestock farms to boost regional economic growth.
“One of our programs is the planting of 1 million hectares of rice paddies near Papua’s border. We've currently completed 30,000 hectares,” said Marwan, adding that the ministry also planned to develop plantations in Kalimantan.
Govt eyes Rp 130 T investment in border area
