RI To Offer Port Management To Foreign Investors

Jakarta, Nov 7 (Antara) - State Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan welcomed the government`s plan to offer airport and seaport management to foreign investors, confirming it would not affect state-owned companies` performance in the sector. "It would even be beneficial as it would promote healthy competition," he said at a leadership meeting here on Thursday. With the introduction of foreign investors in the business sector, he hoped airport and seaport management would improve as it would create competition in providing the best infrastructure and services for the public. The Indonesian government is currently finalizing a revision of its Negative List of Businesses for Investment (DNI). It hopes the revision, initially targeted to finish in the third quarter, will increase the value of investments while continuing to protect the interests of national businesses. Dahlan pointed out that almost all airports and seaports managed by state-owned companies have been developed efficiently. He noted that the airports in Palembang, South Sumatra and Sorong have been fully developed and are expected to be completed soon. "The airport in Jambi, Sumatra, has not been developed, and so, any investor interested in it is welcome (to get involved)," he said. Dahlan confirmed that airport and seaport infrastructure development in the country had been accelerated, and so, "We are already prepared to meet with foreign investors."