DUTCH INVESTOR TO BUILD INT'L-STANDARD PIER IN BANTUL

Bantul, March 12 (ANTARA) - A Dutch investor is planning to build a Rp3.6 trillion worth international-standard quay at Pandasimo beach in Bantul district.

Bantul district's maritime affairs and fisheries (DKP) office chief Sugeng Sudaruno said here on Friday the local government would support the Dutch investor's plan to build an international standard pier.
"We will fully support the plan of the Dutch investor to build the pier in Bantul district because it will improve the economy and the welfare of the local people," Sugeng said.

He said Bantul's DKP would study the location where the international-standard quay would be built.

"We are going to see the development and we hope the project will be realized in the near future," he said.

But he added Pandansimo beach was actually not an appropriate location for an international-standard pier because the area was flat and its waters held strong currents.

"If the construction of the pier is realized, it will need regular maintenance with a big amount of funds. Therefore I think it is better for the pier to be built either in the Opak River estuary or at Samas beach because the two areas are more appropriate, but anyway it all depends on the investor," Sudaruno said.

He said the Dutch investor intended to build the pier at Pandansimo beach because his grand father was from that area.

Meanwhile, the Dutch investor's representative Arif Takari Wibowo said the plan to build the pier was supported by Bantul district head Idham Samawi.

"A four-month feasibility study costing Rp1.6 trillion will be conducted for the construction of the pier," Takari Wibowo said.

He added the pier would be the first international-standard port in Yogyakarta province and was expected to improve the welfare and economy of the local people.