Energy Shortage Main Cause Discouraging Investor

Kupang, Aug 24 (ANTARA) - Shortage in power supply is the main causes discouraging investment in the Bolok Industrial Estate in this capital of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province. "There are other factors but shortage in electric energy supply is the main cause," Frans Kelen, head of the Investment Control of the NTT office of Capital Investment Coordinating Board, said. Kelen said the operation of a steam powered electric plant in Bolok is expected to attract new investors to do business in NTT making use of the facilities offered by the industrial estate. The power plant, now under construction would soon come on stream, he said here on Friday. The Bolok Industrial Estates was commissioned in 1997 but until now , only two investors had shown interest in investing in the that area. Currently, a manganese rock processing plant is being built in the industrial estate besides the power plant, he said. The industrial estate, which is located in West Kupang, is still wide open for new investors both domestic and foreign investors. "Factories would need large supply of power, which will be available soon. Therefore we are confident the Bolok Industrial Estate would attract investors to NTT," he said. As for the status of land, Frans Kelen said his office is to hold a meeting with the regional legislative assembly and land office, to make sure that the land parcels would be certified. The land belongs to the state but there has been no certificate to officially state the ownership status of the land, he said. "There are many lands belonging to regional administration in NTT not yet having certificate that the ownership status is not yet clear," he said. The absence of the land certificate beside permits and minimum availability of infrastructure facilities also pose a problem discouraging investors to embark on big investment in NTT, he said.