CHINESE FIRMS TO DEVELOP PADANG'S BUNGUS PORT

Padang, W Sumatra, Feb 19 (ANTARA) - West Sumatra Governor Gamawan Fauzi here on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with two large Chinese companies to develop Padang's Bungus harbor into an international class seaport.

West Sumatra Governor Gamawan Fuazi said he welcomed the signing of the MoU, explaining that the port had the potential to be developed as it had good prospects in the future.
The two Chinese companies which signed the MoU with the governor were Guang Zhou Ship Channel Bureau Limited Company and Chinese Huan Yu Mining Investment.
The expansion of the port is expected to boost economic relations between West Sumatra and China, with priority given to the development of the mining, automotive and fishery sectors.
West Sumatra's regional government had agreed that the Chinese companies' project would include port reclamation and construction of infrastructure facilities such as roads, tunnels and bridges.
Withe the expansion project, Pandang's Bungus seaport was expected to become an international harbor.
Fauzi said the Chinese companies would also be given the right to develop a mining area in West Sumatra besides a license to do other business in the fishery, automotive and motor vehicle factories.
He said that the two companies would be given two months to complete their feasibility studies and to discuss with local authorities their planned investment.
The governor said that previously investors from Malaysia and the Middle East had also expressed interest in developing the port.