Japanese Group to invest US$1 bln in North Maluku, Indonesia

Ternate, N Maluku (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Japanese investors belonging to a group known as the North Moluccas Project have earmarked US$1 billion for several investment projects in North Maluku, Indonesia, including a desalination plant to service the country's mineral water industry, a local official said.

Representatives of the group have met North Maluku administration officials to discuss the plan, Asril Ahmad, head of the North Maluku administration's information and communication bureau, said here Tuesday.

Ahmad said the Japanese businessmen also wanted to invest in seaport and airport expansion, agricultural irrigation networks and tourist facilities.