South Korea eyeing Sunda Strait bridge project

Antara News, Otniel Tamindael, Thu, May 19 2011

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Jakarta (ANTARA News) - As the sixth largest investor in around 1,400 projects in Indonesia at present, South Korea also has an interest to invest in the construction of Sunda Strait bridge.

With cumulative investment of US$3.35 billion over the past 10 years exuding oil, gas, and banking sectors, the country is also eyeing other infrastructure projects in Indonesia.

"South Korea is interested in a number of infrastructure projects in Indonesia, including Sunda Strait bridge development," Coordinating Minister for Economy Hatta Rajasa said in Jakarta on Thursday.

Speaking after a coordination meeting to discuss ways to overcome traffic congestion problems in several Indonesian major cities, the economic minister said South Korean interest in infrastructure projects in Indonesia was discussed at his meeting with the country`s Economic Minister Choi Joong Kyung in Bali on Wednesday.

It was in Bali on Wednesday that the governments of Indonesia and South Korea signed nine memorandum of understandings (MoUs) on investment and economic cooperation between the two countries.

Signed by the two countries` senior government officials and business representatives, the MoUs covered cover partnership agreements in the fields of of among others technology, textiles, machinery, maritime, aerospace, defense and solar photovoltaic.

According to Hatta Rajasa, the business partnership agreements could make Indonesia as South Korea`s main overseas investment hub in the world.

He said the MoUs included hydroelectric power plan projects in Lampung province, shipyard collaboration between Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marnie Engineering and PT Dok & Perkapalan Kodja Bahari to build projects for vessels and offshore facilities.

In addition, Hatta said that the South Korean economic minister also expressed his country`s support to the implementation of the Indonesian Economic Development Acceleration Master Plan (MP3EI). Hatta said.

"At the meeting, South Korean economic minister expressed his country`s support to the implementation of the Indonesian Economic Development Acceleration Master Plan (MP3EI)," Hatta said.

According to him, Choi Joong Kyung was specifically sent by South Korean president to Indonesia to discuss what projects to be undertaken.

"Specifically the country conveyed its interest to participate in the development of Sunda Strait bridge, and the country wanted it to be considered," Hatta said.

He added that South Korea was probably interested not only to be the contractor of Sunda Strait bridge project but also the other ones.

"But we have yet to come to term, just the interest to participate in the projects," Hatta said, adding that the value of investment in the projects reached around US$20 billion.

Earlier in February this year, Hatta said that of the total $20 billion investment plans, $12 billion was already in the pipeline while the remaining $8 billion remained to be discussed.

Some South Korean companies that have expressed commitment to investing in Indonesia are among others Hankook Tires US$1.2 billion investment plans to build tire production plants, Lotte Groups US$5 billion petrochemical factory in Banten, East Java, or in Kalimantan, as well as electronics giants LG and Samsungs estimated US$500 million to US$1 billion investment to expand their businesses in Indonesia.

The South Korean investment plans are part of the Indonesian governments efforts to raise funds in the process of realizing the 2011-2025 economic master plan.

Indonesia is really South Korean main overseas investment hub and therefore many more companies from the country have made commitment to investing in various sectors in East Java, South Sulawesi.

Earlier this month six South Korean companies made commitment to investing a total of of US$52 million in East Java which was formalized in memorandum of understandings (MoUs) singed by their heads before before East Java Governor Soekarwo and Gyeongsangnam-Do Governor Kim Do Kwan.

The six companies from South Korea are Bo-Kyung, C02 Byo, PT Leader Music, PT Seong Dong Abadi, PT Agro Deka Industri, PT Mitra Lestari Hanjaya.

Bo-Kyung, a company engaged in the footwear industry, is to invest US$15 million in Bangil, Pasuruan district.

PT Leader Music would invest US$2 million in the music instrument industry in Mojosari, Mojokerto district.

Also in Mojosari, PT Seong Dong Abadi is to invest US$ 10 million in the chemical industry.

PT Agro Deka Industri with an investment value of US$2 million is to operate in an agricultural industry in Bangil, Pasuruan, while PT Mitra Lestari Hanjaya would invest around US$20 million.

Soekarwo said six more companies from South Korea would also invest in East Java later and the memorandums of understanding was signed when he visited Seoul last April 5-7, 2011.

While in Makassar, South Sulawesi, South Korea`s PEM Korea Co.Ltd also plans to build a polyethylene pipe plant on two hectares of land at Makassar industrial estate in June this year.

PEM Korea Co. Ltd. President Director Jin Hwan Ho signed a cooperation agreement for the construction of the plant with South Sulawesi Governor Syahrul Yasin Limpo at the gubernatorial residence in Makassar on Monday, May 16, 2011.

"In the first phase of the project, we will build two production lines to meet demand in South Sulawesi and neighboring provinces. Later we will develop them into four lines that we project will be able to meet demand in the eastern part of Indonesia," Jin said.

He said PEM Korea Co.Ltd. would team up with two local companies -- PT Hanwoo and Bahana Cipta -- to build the plant which would cost US$5 million to US$10 million.

Editor: Aditia Maruli

Cost of Sunda Strait bridge may balloon to US$18.87 billion

Aditya Suharmoko, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 04/27/2010 10:24 AM

The construction of the Sunda Strait bridge, which, if completed, will be the longest suspension bridge in the world, may cost as much as Rp 170 trillion (US$18.87 billion), almost double the initial estimate of $11 billion, an official said.

Feasibility studies revealed the huge price tag, which, according to Syahrial Loetan, the main secretary of the National Development Planning Agency, is subject to change.

The Sunda Strait bridge will connect Java and Sumatra with an approximate length of 30 kilometers, according to the planning agency.

The bridge width will be 60 meters, with six lanes for traffic and double-track railways, based on the official website.

Gas and oil pipes, fiber-optic cables and electricity cables will be built into the length of the bridge.

The planning agency said the Sunda Strait bridge is needed as the only existing transportation, ferries, can no longer support economic development in both islands.

The construction of the bridge was initiated by PT Bangungraha Sejahtera Mulia, a subsidiary of the Artha Graha Group owned by tycoon Tomy Winata. A national team led by Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa is now responsible for preliminary studies into the bridge’s construction.

The bridge is expected to take at least 10 years to build, said Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah.

The planning agency expects construction to start in 2012.

Because a large amount of funds is needed to construct the bridge, the agency has included it as part of the public-private partnership (PPP) projects in the 2010-2014 period worth $47.3 billion in total.

Hatta said he has offered construction of the bridge to Chinese investors, but as yet no decision has been announced.

Syahrial is optimistic foreign investors will want to invest in this ambitious project. “Our economic growth is high compared to other countries. With stable macroeconomic conditions Indonesia can be the right place for global investors,” he said.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he expects private investors to participate in the bridge construction.

The government “has taken comprehensive moves to create a better investment climate,” he said, adding that Indonesia has improved infrastructure over the past five years.

Indonesia’s economy grew by 4.5 percent in 2009, according to the Central Statistics Agency. The government expects economic growth will hit 5.8 percent this year.

Govt steams ahead with Sunda Strait Bridge railway plans

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 02/16/2010 7:30 PM

The planned Sunda Strait Bridge mega-project, connecting Java and Sumatra, would carry a double-track railway, the government says.

“So, it won’t be just a highway,” Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa said Tuesday as quoted by kompas.com.

Hatta, who chairs the National Team for the Sunda Strait Bridge construction project, said the government would also lay underwater cables and fiber optic cables across the strait.

A pre-feasibility study conducted by construction firm PT Bangungraha Sejahtera Mulia, a subsidiary of Artha Graha Network, found that the 29-kilometer bridge would cost up to Rp 100 trillion (approximately US$10.75 billion).

Once operational in 2025, the bridge would stretch from Anyer in Banten to Bakauheni in Lampung. It would also pass over the Sanghiyang, Prajurit and Ular islands in the Sunda Strait.

Under the current plan, the bridge would also have six lanes for four-wheeled vehicles and two single lanes for motorcycles.

Hatta said that he would invite the governors of Banten and Lampung to discuss the project next week. (nkn)

VP-elect off to early start on eastern RI job

Markus Makur, The Jakarta Post, Timika | Tue, 09/29/2009 1:14 PM

Vice-president-elect Boediono, on a whirlwind tour of the often-overlooked eastern part of the country, is looking to explore new development models in the infrastructure sector there.

The former central bank governor spent a few days in Ambon, Maluku, to see infrastructure development projects underway there.

He then flew to Papua to assess development projects being carried out by the provincial administration there and to be further studied, analyzed and implemented in the future.

On Monday, Boediono transited at Moses Kilangin Airport in Timika to observe airport facilities and meet with regency administration officials.

He was met by Papua Governor Barnabas Suebu, Mimika Deputy Regent Abdul Muis, local high-ranking officials, legislators and top police and military brass.

After jetting in from Ambon, Boediono and his entourage were given a tour of facilities at the airport before meeting with the local officials.

Deputy Regent Muis complained to Boediono of the airport's shortage of aviation fuel provided by PT Freeport Indonesia, meaning only planes operated by Garuda, Merpati and Freeport could serve the airport.

"The airport faces supply shortages of aviation fuel, so flights to Timika are very scarce," he said.

He added the administration planned to build a waiting hall at the airport, as well as other infrastructure development plans, for which it sought government funding.

"The Mimika administration hopes the central government will promptly respond to the problems we face," he said.

Security for the Papua leg of Boediono's journey is provided by the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police, with 300 personnel from the Sorong Military Command on alert around the airport.

Command chief Col. Fransen Siahaan said Boediono would pay a two-day visit to Wamena regency in the central mountainous region.

Boediono will also visit Boven Digul and Merauke regencies, before returning to Timika on his way back to Jakarta.

Siahaan said Boediono's visit to Papua was mainly to evaluate development, especially in the transportation sector.

The Transportation Ministry's director general for air transportation, Herry Bekti, and several experts from the field are part of the vice-president-elect's entourage.

Puncak Jaya Regent Lukas Enembe said Boediono's visit to Papua, particularly to the central mountainous region, was an important moment for him to observe several development projects.

"*Boediono* transited in Timika because Timika will serve as the major access point to the central mountainous region in the future," Lukas said.

"A port will also be built in Timika to connect a number of areas in that region."

Bridges are planned for construction in Juguru and Apema villages, as part of the 140-kilometer highway to Wamena.

The planned 500-kilometer road from Jayapura to Wamena, proposed in 1980, has yet to see the light of day, while the road from Wamena to Apema village has already been built.

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Indonesia, China sign MoUs on infrastructure project cooperation

Antara, Monday, September 28, 2009 11:57 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and China have agreed to step up cooperation in infrastructure and water resource development as marked by the signing of two memorandums of understanding (MoUs).

The MoUs were signed by Djoko Kirmanto, Indonesian Public Works Minister, Li Shenglin and Chen Lei, respectively of the Chinese transportation ministry, and irrigation ministry, in Beijing recently.

The MoU on road and bridge infrastructure construction was signed on September 25, 2009, and the MoU on water resource cooperation on September 26, 2009, both in Beijing, according to Indonesian Ambassador to China Sudrajat in a press statement received by ANTARA News here on Sunday.

The road and bridge infrastructure projects would be constructed with the support of a preferential buyers credit facility of the Chinese government, the ambassador said.

The projects will include the Musi III bridge in South Sumatra, Tayan bridge in Kalimantan, Kendari bridge in Southeast Sulawesi, Medan-Kualanamu toll road in North Sumatra, and Coleunyi-Sumedang-Dawuan toll road in West Java.

The cooperation in the infrastructure development would also include transfer of technology, such as that in the implementation of the Suramadu (Surabaya-Madura) bridge project in East Java, he said.

The water resource development cooperation will cover a dam project in Aceh, Indonesia`s northern-most province.

The Jambu Aye dam project in Aceh would provide an irrigation for local farmers, in anticipation of floods, and supplying hydro-electricity a power plant in Aceh, according to Ambassador Sudrajat.

Indonesia and China have been working on the construction of a dam in Jatigede, West Java, he said.

The governments of Indonesia and China decided to speed up the construction of Jatigede dam, and begin with building of the Jambu Aye dam in Aceh, the ambassador said.

Two New Bridges to Be Built in Kalimantan

Wednesday, 01 April, 2009 | 12:49 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Surabaya: After completing the Suramadu bridge that connect Surabaya city and Madura island, the government plans to build similar bridges in Kalimantan.

“The bridges are the Tayan bridge and the Musi bridge,” said Director General of Bina Marga Hermanto Dadak at the Suramadu launching last night (31/3).

Hermanto explained that the Tayan bridge would be a one-kilometer bridge that connects the south side of Kalimantan island.

It will support access to the road that connects Indonesia, Kucing in Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam.

“The construction will be started soon,” said Hermanto.

While the government is still looking for the right location for the Musi bridge.

ROHMAN TAUFIQ

Growth Triangle tourism cooperation

Bangkokpost.com, 28/02/2009 at 07:54 PM 

Phetchaburi - Leaders of Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia on Saturday agreed to step up closer tourism cooperation under the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle in a campaign to be launched this year. 

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva also urged his two counterparts, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, to further cooperate in energy to strengthen regional security in the longer term. 

The three leaders held talks on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Cha-am district of Phetchaburi. 

PM's Office Minister Virachai Virameteekul said after the fourth IMT-GT meeting, chaired by the Indonesian president, that the new tourism campaign for the sub-region would be officially launched in Sumatra Island in coming months as a joint effort between the three countries. 

The private sector would be encouraged to take leading role to promote tourism opportunity in the sub-region including medical tourism, he said. 

Mr Abhisit has expressed his opinion that tourism would be the key for IMT-GT members to get through the current global economic crisis. 

Besides, the premier called on Indonesia to develop cooperation on liquefied natural gas. With Malaysia, Thailand proposed joint development of the energy land bridge which is a part of Thailand's long-delayed Southern Seaboard project. 

The southern seaboard has been suggested to be develop in line with Malaysia's northern and eastern regional development plan.

Govt and ambassador inaugurate Japan-funded bridges

The Jakarta Post | Sat, 02/21/2009 5:48 PM  

Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto together with Japan’s Ambassador to Indonesia Toru Maeda inaugurated nine bridges in West Sumbawa on Saturday that were funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). 

The construction of the bridges, which cost approximately Rp 87.1 billion, took about two years and was carried out by a Japanese firm, Hazama Corporation. 

West Nusa Tenggara spokesperson Andy Hadianto said the bridges would unlock several areas in the southern part of Sumbawa from isolation and open more economic opportunities for the villagers. 

“The areas (in southern part of Sumbawa) are fertile. The new infrastructure will increase the value of the farming products,” he said as quoted by tempointeraktif.com. 

Andy said JICA would continue to fund 15 other bridges in Sumbawa while the local government would finance the construction of six new bridges. (and)

Chinese Vice premier meets acting governor of Jawa Timur, visits Suramadu bridge project

www.chinaview.cn, 2008-12-21 20:02:42           

SURABAYA, Indonesia, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang met here with the acting governor of Jawa Timur Setia Purwaka and visited the construction site of Suramadu bridge in Indonesia.

Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (C front) applauds as he visits the construction site of the Suramadu ( Surabaya-Madura) bridge, which will be the longest of its kind, in Indonesia, Dec. 21, 2008. (Xinhua Photo). Photo Gallery>>> 

During his meeting with Purwaka on Saturday evening, Li voiced his hope that Jawa Timur could play an increasingly important role to help step up relations between China and Indonesia. 

"China and Indonesia are good neighbors and both in a significant stage of development," Li said, noting that the growth of China-Indonesia strategic partnership would inject more vigor to their respective domestic development. 

Purwaka expressed his welcome to Li's visit, saying that the construction of the Suramadu bridge assisted by China was a symbol for the friendly cooperation between the two peoples.  

Li visited the construction site of Suramadu Bridge on Sunday morning. He asked the Chinese construction working personnel to try their best to ensure the quality of the bridge, which will connect Surabaya and the island of Madura after its completion, and calling on the relevant Chinese financial institutions to offer further support for the projects. 

Li arrived in Jakarta on Sunday afternoon. He is expected to meet Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, hold talks with Kalla, and attend a China-Indonesia energy forum on Monday to exchange views on the bilateral relations and other regional and international issues of common concern. 

The 11-day tour, Li's first overseas trip since he took office as vice premier in March, will also take him to Egypt and Kuwait.

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Chinese Deputy PM to observe Suramadu bridge project

Chinese Deputy PM to observe Suramadu bridge project

Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA News) - Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Li Keqiang during a visit to East Java is on Sunday (Dec 21) scheduled to observe the Suramadu bridge project which is to connect Madura island with mainland Java, a project official said. 

The project`s chief officer, Atyanto Busono, said here on Friday the Chinese deputy prime minister would observe the construction of the middle section of the bridge from a ferry boat which he would board at Surabaya`s Tanjung Perak seaport. The Chinese deputy prime minister would be accompanied by executive directors of China`s Exim Bank and East Java Governor Setya Purwaka. 

"The Chinese deputy prime minister will made the visit as part of China`s commitment to disbursing the second tranche of its loan to finance the building of the middle section of the bridge project," Busono said. 

He said the second tranche of the loan through China`s Exim Bank totaled US$68.93 million. 

"The bank also provided a first stage loan of US$160.2 million for the construction of the bridge in 2004-2005. This first phase loan has been used up," Busono said. 

He said the second phase loans was to be disbursed in October 2008 but due to the global financial crisis, the disbursement was delayed. 

"With the delay in disbursement of the Chinese loan, Bank Jatim has disbursed Rp50 billion for the project so that the work would not be interrupted while waiting for the disbursement of the Chinese loan," he added. 

Up to early this month, about 88.46 percent of the construction work on the bridge has been completed. Of the progress, about 99.80 percent of the causeway construction on the Surabaya side has been completed and 99.80 percent on the Madura side had been finished. 

The bridge, named Suramadu (acronym for Surabaya-Madura), would connect East Java`s provincial capital of Surabaya with Madura island.

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Japan pledges rp200-bln grant for 35 bridges in NTB

Mataram  (ANTARA News) - The Japanese government has pledged a Rp200 billion grant for the construction of 35 bridges in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province in 2009, a local official said. 

Speaking after opening a seminar on development in eastern Indonesian here on Tuesday, Supardi Sukandar, NTB public works office chief, said eight other bridges under a previous Japanese assistance program would be completed in mid-December 2008 at a cost of Rp60 billion. 

He said the 35 bridges to be built with the Japanse grant in 2009 would all be located on the southern sections of the province`s outer ringroad in the districts of Sumbawa and West Sumbawa to link isolated villages. 

Construction of all 35 bridges would start in January next year and be completed in December the same year. 

Sukandar said the bridges would be of great benefit to transmigrants in the Tongo and Lunyuk regions to market their agricultural commodities in urban areas. 

Transmigrants in the two remote regions were until now always grappling with great difficulties in marketing their products in the district`s towns because of transportation problems. 

"After the bridges have been completed, it will be much easier for the transmigrants to transport their produce to the cities," Sukandar said.

Govt speeds up $10b Java Sumatra bridge

Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 05/09/2008 9:38 AM

The government is slated to begin construction next year of the country's longest and most expensive bridge, linking Sumatra and Java islands, a year ahead of schedule.

Lampung Governor Sjachroedin Z.P. said Thursday the government would start work on the 29 kilometer bridge across the Sunda strait early in a bid to boost economic activities in Sumatra.

The bridge, connecting Bakauheni in Lampung with Merak in Banten, will cost about US$10 billion over the next 15 years, Sjachroedin said.

"All the governors in Sumatra want the development to begin soon and they expect it won't burden the government financially," he said, adding the bridge was expected to be operational by 2025.

Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto said the construction costs would be shouldered mainly by private investors, with the central government financing only 5 percent of the project.

"We will attract investors to finance the bridge development by offering them incentives," he said. (rff)

President calls for feasibility study on Sunda Strait Bridge

Bandar Lampung (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called for the immediate implementation of an in-depth feasibility study on the proposed construction of a bridge over the Sunda Strait to link Java and Sumatra islands.

"A careful feasibility study should be made immediately. If it is possible from the economic and geographic points of view to construct the bridge, we can go ahead with this major development project," the president said at the peak event of a program to mark the 27th World Food Day at Way Halim square here on Wednesday.

The head of state said a bridge linking Java and Sumatra islands would clearly generate great advantages for people at both ends of the bridge.

The economies of people in Java and Sumatra could grow well if the two islands were connected by a bridge, he said.

Therefore, if the feasibility study showed that it was possible to construct the bridge, it should definitely be built for the sake of the economic development of the two islands.

Yudhoyono made the statements in response to Lampung Governor Sjachroedin ZP`s request for the central government`s attention for four major developmental matters in Sumatra, namely the Sunda Strait bridge project, trans-Sumatra highway and railway track projects and energy availability.

Gubernatorial forum agrees to construct Sunda Strait Bridge

Batam (ANTARA News) - The Sumatra gubernatorial forum at a meeting here agreed to materialize the infrasturcture building among others the Sunda Strait bridge construction, which will connect Java and Sumatra islands.

The forum, during a coordination meeting here on Friday and Saturday, said it will seek construction funds from the national budget, domestic and foreign private companies, the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The infrasturture construction which should be immediately materialized were the Trans Sumatra railway, Trans Sumatra Toll Road and the national main road in Riau Island and Bangka Belitung.

The forum also agreed to urge the central government to immediately solve the energy crisis in Sumatra by means of deregulation to terminate the monopoly of the State Electricity Company.

The forum also said deregulation would make it easier for private businessmen to engage in power production to overcome the electricity problem in Sumatra.

Italy to scrap 9.3 mln euro Indonesian debt in exchange for humanitarian

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Italy has agreed to cancel the equivalent of 9.32 mln usd worth of debt that Indonesia owes it on condition that Jakarta spends the same amount on six humanitarian projects in Aceh, an official said.

Aceh, the country's westernmost province, was devastated by a tsunami in December, 2004.

Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs spokesman, Mahendra Siregar, was quoted by XFN Asia as saying among the six projects approved by Italy are the building of a bridge and hospital and the reconstruction of a fishing harbour.

Last year, Italy cancelled 4.98 mln eur debt after Indonesia pledged it would spend the same amount on four projects in Aceh.

As of December 31, 2006, Indonesia's outstanding debt to Italy stood at 141.66 mln usd.

Consortium for bridge construction over Sunda strait to be set up

The Jakarta Post

SERANG, Banten (Antara): The provincial governments of Banten and Lampung will soon set up a joint consortium for the development of a 29-km bridge over the Sunda Strait which will connect the Java island with Sumatra, chairman of Banten's Regional Legislative Council (DPRD), Ady Surya, said on Sunday.

"It is estimated that the bridge would be built at a cost of Rp 17.85 trillion," Surya said.

He said that the agreement to set up a joint consortium was reached during a meeting between Banten regional government officials and Lampung Governor Sachroedin ZP recently.

"Since 2004, the Lampung government already has the intention to invite the president, the finance minister, the chairman of National Development Planning Board (Bapennas) and the public works minister to discuss the plan," he said.

Unluckily, the plan has been delayed since then because it did not receive response from the Banten government, Surya said.

"Thanks God, in the current era of the new Banten governor we once again try to encourage the development of the bridge. We hope that the two local governments would have coordination meeting on the establishment of the consortium next month," headded.

Banten's DPRD Deputy Chairman Sadeli Kariem said a public expose on the development of the bridge would be conducted before the government officials of Lampung and Banten, and relevant ministers at the Banten DPRD building, hopefully next month.

"The presentation will be held to gain support and to obtain inputs from various sides over the plan to develop the Sunda Strait bridge," he added.

He said that after the presentation, the two regional government officials would hold a coordination meeting to discuss their respective roles in the bridge development.

The Sunda Strait is one of the busiest waterway in Indonesia which links the two islands' economic and social activities.