Thuggery Scares Investors Away From Lebak

Lebak, Banten, Sept 20 (Antara) - The investment office in Lebak said thuggery has scared many investors away from the regency of Lebak of Banten. Head of the district office of the investment division of the capital investment and license service agency of Lebak Agianto Ahmad Tahir said prospective investors found Lebak not conducive with rampant petty criminals. Many investors found the condition not conducive that only a few decided to stay in Lebak, Agianto said in Rangkasbetung on Friday, adding, they choose to do business in Jakarta, Bekasi or Tangerang. "The impression is bad for Lebak although the district is rich in natural resource yet untapped," he said. Lebak has natural resources in abundance that prospects are good for investment such as in mining, plantation, farming, fishery and tourism, he said. "Unfortunately hoodlum has marred the good reputation of the district of Lebak," he said. He said the district administration should guarantee security in the regency of Lebak for both domestic and foreign investment which would contribute to increasing district income and cope with poverty in Lebak. Agianto said said the district administration has never caused difficulty in licensing procedure for investors in Lebak. The district administration will continue to intensify efforts to promote Lebak as a profitable investment destination, he said, adding the natural wealth of Lebak has been largely untapped yet. Lebak is strategically located with access via sea and land transport to Jakarta adding to the comparative advantage of investment in the district, he said. A number of companies investing in Lebak have expanded such as in mining, plantations and fishery . Recently PT Cemindo Gemilang started investment in cement industry marked with a ground breaking ceremony in the sub-district of Bayah. The cement factory will cost around Rp6 trillion and provide 4,000 new jobs.