State electricity firm PT PLN (Persero) has extended an invitation to investors to do business in West Sumatra on the back of adequate current electricity reserves.

The company's General Manager for West Sumatra Region Bambang Dwiyanto remarked during several national media visits to the Teluk Sirih Steam Power Plant (PLTU) in Padang City, West Sumatra, on Saturday, that the current power reserves average 60 megawatts (MW).

"The power capacity will suffice to provide electricity to 100 new five-star hotels," he noted.

Furthermore, Dwiyanto explained that if the transfer of power supply from the Southern Sumatra is taken into account, power reserves are estimated to still reach up to 200 MW.

Moreover, the 80-MW capacity Muaralaboh Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP), scheduled to become operational in August 2019, will add to the power reserves.

Hence, he has called for investors to invest in West Sumatra, as PLN is set to offer the best electricity services. "In essence, we ensure reliable supply of electricity," he emphasized.

Tourism is a business sector holding immense potential in West Sumatra, taking into account its natural beauty and culinary wealth.

Bambang believes that the adequate and reliable supply of electricity in West Sumatra will further drive the regional economy and boost the electrification ratio.

In March 2019, West Sumatra Province's electrification ratio was recorded at 92.53 percent and targeted at 96.85 percent by 2019-end and to ultimately reach 100 percent by 2020. The total household customers of PLN, as of March 2019, stand at 1.199 million of the 1,297 million households. A total of 49,942 households would need to be electrified to realize the 2019 electrification ratio target of 96.85 percent.

Meanwhile, the total power capacity of West Sumatra's plant touches 650 MW, with a peak load of 600 MW.

Generators, supplying a major chunk of electricity for the West Sumatra region, come from new and renewable energy sources (EBT), specifically 74 MW from the Singkarak hydropower plant (PLTA), 68 MW from PLTA Maninjau, and 21 MW from microhydro power plant (PLTM). In addition, the electricity supply comes from the 180-MW Teluk Sirih PLTU, 170-MW Ombilin PLTU, and 49-MW Pauh Limo gas power plant (PLTG). (ANTARA)

The Aceh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) has extended an invitation to foreign businesspersons to make investments in the province to tap into numerous business opportunities in the western tip of Sumatra Island.

"Several opportunities to invest can be developed in Aceh Province. Hence, we extend an invite to entrepreneurs to come forth and make an investment in this area," Aceh Kadin Chairman Muzakir Manaf noted in Banda Aceh on Saturday.

The invitation was voiced by Kadin Chair Muzakir Manaf at the Aceh International Business Summit and Expo 2019. Polish Ambassador Beata Stoczynska and Head of Economic Counselor of the US Embassy Andre Shaw along with several domestic and foreign businesspersons attended the international forum.

Aceh's ex-deputy governor remarked that the agricultural and plantation, tourism, and industrial sectors offered promising investment opportunities.

"The mining sector, with the tin industry, offers vast potential that had yet to be tapped. Foreign entrepreneurs expressing keenness can promptly conduct further exploration and coordination with their concerned embassies in Jakarta," Manaf noted.

Manaf believes the investment offer is the Aceh Kadin's contribution to boosting the regional economy. Investment growth in Aceh unleashes areas of employment for the Bumi Serambi Mekkah residents.

"Along with investment, we also promote the growth of small and medium enterprises. Nevertheless, the Aceh local government and the banking sector should lend support to this endeavor," Manaf emphasized.

In the meantime, Acting (Plt) Aceh Regional Secretary Helvizar Ibrahim noted that the Aceh government had readied the necessary infrastructure to support investment.

"We will also offer incentives to investors investing in Aceh. This policy is being applied to draw the interest of the business world to invest in Aceh," Ibrahim explained

Moreover, the Aceh government has offered infrastructure in the form of industrial estates in Ladong, Aceh Besar, a trading area and free port on Weh Island, Sabang, as well as special economic zones, or SEZs, in Lhokseumawe.

"There are several investment opportunities in Aceh to develop. Moreover, Aceh holds a strategic position for global trade. Hence, Aceh remains resolute to becoming the hub of world trade," Ibrahim remarked. (ANTARA)

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Kreangam met the Governor of Yogyakarta Special Province Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X at the latter's office in Yogyakarta on Friday, prior to the commemoration of 70 years of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Thailand.

"This is a chance to forge relations between Thailand and Yogyakarta," Kreangam said after the meeting.  

Thailand and Yogyakarta have established longstanding relations that date back 100 years. In fact, Thai King Rama V, King Rama VII and King Rama IX frequently visited Yogyakarta to forge relations with the Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Kingdom, he said.

"A few years ago, the Thai princess also brought military students from Thailand to Yogyakarta and the (Yogyakarta) Sultan himself hosted a party in honor of them. This is an honor for Thailand," he said.

Stating that Thailand saw Yogyakarta as a cultural, educational and historical city, he said, "Many Thai students are currently studying in Yogyakarta. We must always support them because they come to Yogyakarta to study history and Islam."

The Thai government is also eager to strengthen tourism cooperation with Yogyakarta because Yogyakarta is home to cultural heritage, including Borobudur Temple, which is well known in Thailand, he said.

During the meeting, Kreangam was accompanied by a number of representatives from the Thai Embassy in Indonesia. (ANTARA)

President Joko Widodo welcomed a number of union representatives at the Bogor Palace on Friday to discuss the commemoration of Labor Day and agreed to revise Government Regulation (PP) Number 78/2015 concerning wages.

"We have also agreed to revise PP 78 and we expect the unions, workers, as well as companies to be happy," the President said.

President Jokowi welcomed President of Confederation of All Indonesian Trade Unions Andi Gani Nuwa Wea, President of Confederation of All Indonesian Trade Unions Mudhofir, President of Confederation of All Indonesian Trade Unions Said Iqbal, Chairperson of Indonesian Workers Union Confederation Ilhamsyah, Chairperson of Sarikat Labor Muslim Indonesia Syaiful, President of the Confederate Union Nusantara Muchtar Guntur, and Chairperson of Commission A DKI DPRD Wiliam Yani.

During the meeting, they also discussed carrying out the Labor Day warning agreement peacefully.

"Regarding 'May Day', which will be held next week, [everyone] agrees that the Labor Day commemoration will be carried out in a good way and [through] peaceful activities," the President explained.

The Head of State hoped that all people would be happy during the Labor Day commemoration.  (ANTARA)