Industry May Not Be Affected By Political Year

Jakarta, Jan 21 (ANTARA) - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Jero Wacik said 2013 political year must not affect oil and gas projects. "2013 is called a political year because there will be general elections in 2014. However I would like to remind you that oil and gas industry`s activities must go on (despite the upcoming event). Projects must not slow down just because general elections would happen," he said after opening the IndoGas Exhibition and Conference 2013 here on Monday. The minister said that the general elections were a mere change of leadership and a five-yearly event. He said infrastructure projects such as the Trans-Java gas pipe network development must remain to be completed by 2014 and connected with the Sumatra network. "Later, the gas demand of industries, households, transportation and fertilizer businesses would be more guaranteed with the presence of the network," he said. He said Indonesia would head toward a golden year of gas use which would be part of the country`s future. Jero said gas projects in the country would start production in the years to come. In the future, he said, the government would increase exploration especially in the eastern regions such as Papua and Maluku. "We are also preparing incentives for the exploration activities to invite more investors," he added.*