Tempo | 28 June 2015

China to Invest in Ketapang`s Cassava Plantation

Jakarta - The Ketapang Regency administration has started to develop investment in food sector by opening cassava plantations and tapioca flour factory.

Alexander Wilyo, the head of economy division at the Ketapang Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda), said that Chinese-based company PT Thian Yuan Agriculture Technology Trading has submitted an application to operate cassava plantation in Ketapang, West Kalimantan.

“PT Thian Yuan has applied for permits to operate cassava plantation and to establish a 30-hectare tapioca flour factory,” Alexander said on Friday, June 26, 2015.

The Ketapang administration would also allow domestic investors to apply for the permit, since the government has initiated a program to increase investment in food resilience.

Alexander revealed that Ketapang Regency aimed at optimizing idle lands to improve people’s welfare and to boost regional revenue.

“With strong investment in the food sector, people in Ketapang would have more employment options, such as restaurant and hotel services. They can also work at the plantation and factory,” he said.