ID :
54507
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 18:09
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/54507
The shortlink copeid
US EXIM BANK TO EXTEND $1 B IN LOANS TO RI AIRLINES
Jakarta, Apr 8 (ANTARA) - The US Export-Import Bank has agreed to extend more than US$1 billion in loans to Indonesian airline companies to upgrade their fleet and improve their performance.
The bank's agreement followed the successful ratification and implementation of the Cape Town Treaty which enables the Indonesian airlines to save millions of US dollars in financing their operations, the US Embassy in Jakarta said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
"This funding enables registered Indonesian companies to get access to very competitive tariffs as well as favorable credits like those offered by advanced countries," US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron R. Hume said.
In addition, the purchase of new aircraft in the future would bring the Indonesian government a step closer to achieving its target of increasing national air safety and services, the ambassador said.
"The US step is a sign of trust in the Indonesian aviation authorities' efforts to improve their performance," Director General of Air Transportation at the Transportation Ministry Herry Bakti said.
"The modernization pursued by the national private airline companies is the result of our intensive program to ensure a safe and healthy air transportation system which will enable the operators of Indonesian airlines to penetrate the main global markets," Herry said.
Under the loan agreement with the US Ex-Im bank, Indonesia's Lion Air will obtain US$238 million in loans to purchase new Boeing 737-900ERs.
The loans are part of the initial agreement which involves US$841 million to buy 30 new passenger planes.
Last month Garuda Indonesia announced that the US Ex-Im bank had agreed on US$346 million worth of joint financing which would enable the national flag carrier to buy new planes of high quality to strengthen its fleet.
The bank's agreement followed the successful ratification and implementation of the Cape Town Treaty which enables the Indonesian airlines to save millions of US dollars in financing their operations, the US Embassy in Jakarta said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
"This funding enables registered Indonesian companies to get access to very competitive tariffs as well as favorable credits like those offered by advanced countries," US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron R. Hume said.
In addition, the purchase of new aircraft in the future would bring the Indonesian government a step closer to achieving its target of increasing national air safety and services, the ambassador said.
"The US step is a sign of trust in the Indonesian aviation authorities' efforts to improve their performance," Director General of Air Transportation at the Transportation Ministry Herry Bakti said.
"The modernization pursued by the national private airline companies is the result of our intensive program to ensure a safe and healthy air transportation system which will enable the operators of Indonesian airlines to penetrate the main global markets," Herry said.
Under the loan agreement with the US Ex-Im bank, Indonesia's Lion Air will obtain US$238 million in loans to purchase new Boeing 737-900ERs.
The loans are part of the initial agreement which involves US$841 million to buy 30 new passenger planes.
Last month Garuda Indonesia announced that the US Ex-Im bank had agreed on US$346 million worth of joint financing which would enable the national flag carrier to buy new planes of high quality to strengthen its fleet.
