BANDAR LAMPUNG (Sumatera), March 2 (Bernama) -- The readiness of the ruler of Lampung region in southern Sumatera to open up opportunities for Perak state to invest in the region's various sectors has has further strengthened their existing relations under the Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Growth Triangle Area (IMT GT).
Lampung's Governor, Sjachroedin Abidin said his government was open and happy to receive investments from Perak, especially in biotechnology, plantations, engineering, hydro power and township development, as they believed that such cooperation in investments would further bring progress to his region in the future.
"We are giving opportunities to business members particularly from Perak and from Malaysia in general to look at the potential of the rivers here. Apart from opportunity in the hydro energy sector, they can also look at the opportunities available here in the agriculture and infrastructure sectors," he said when met by Malaysian reporters at Mahan Agung here recently.
Further discussions would be held to make a reality of the efforts for the development of new towns, power from mini hydro plants and the development of Lampung's economic region, he said.
On his part as a ruler, he said the region would make it easier for those investing, offering them assistance and needed facilities.
Sjachroedin said the areas in which the investors from Perak were interested in indeed offered huge potentials, namely biotechnology, plantation, hydro technology engineering and development of new towns.
"Perak is a small part of Malaysia, and so is Lampung which is a small part in Indonesia. Building this strong link would be able to bring progress to both of them."
Meanwhile, Menteri Besar Perak Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said a recent visit by the state government to the region had also strengthened the bilateral relations already enjoyed by the state with Indonesia through the IMT-GT.
He said the visit was intended to look into the areas that would bring mutual benefits for Perak and Lampung.
Collaborations can be established in the areas of biotechnology, information communication technology, engineering and plantations, he said.
Perak's readiness to share its expertise for the benefit of both parties is further supported by the vision and mission of Lampung's governor who clearly wants to upgrade the socio-economic status of the region, he said.
Zambry headed the delegation from the Perak state government which made the visit to Lampung in return to a visit made by the Lampung government to Perak earlier.
During the visit, Zambry also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Great Colour Investment Ltd (GCI-L) with the Lampung government for the development of a new town, mini hydro plant and an oil palm plantation.
Lampung which has a population of 7.5 million people is among the southern most regions of Sumatera island. It is known for its production of corn, tapioca, coffee beans, cocoa and textiles.
The Bakauheni port in Lampung provides the sea link between Sumatera and Jawa island via the Sunda Straits.
-- BERNAMA
