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Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has said that the
Indonesian government will offer an Australian company the opportunity
to jointly manage Lombok International Airport in West Nusa Tenggara.
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The offer came after a meeting between Budi and Australian Regional
Development, Regional Communications, and Local Government and
Territories Minister Hon Fiona Nash on Thursday.
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"We are offering an airport operator in Australia the chance to
jointly operate Lombok airport," Budi said. Currently, the Lombok
International Airport is managed by state airport operator Angkasa Pura
(AP) I.
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The airport has not yet been able to turn a profit and as such the
minister hopes that the cooperation will increase traffic and spur
further development of the airport.
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The meeting also highlighted possible cooperation between the two
countries in tourism and aviation, especially in remote and border
areas.
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The development of airports in border areas such as Rote Island and
emerging tourist destination Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, were also
discussed during the meeting.
Indonesia has invited private companies to take part in developing airports because of limited funds in the state budget.
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Australia mentioned the Christmas Island as well as an area in
Brisbane as possible locations for collaboration in area development.
Fiona also welcomed the business talks between the two countries.
"Certainly there are various ways to extend our opportunities in front
of us," she said. (bbn)
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source: TheJakartaPost
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