Dahlan wants Pertamina to take over Rekind

State Enterprise Minister Dahlan Iskan has aired an idea that state owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina acquires EPC contractors to expand its business. One of them is state owned contractor PT Rekayasa Industri (Rekind).

In an engineering forum for state enterprises held at the Office of State Enterprises Ministry Wednesday, Dahlan said the teaming up of Pertamina and Rekind would form a formidable entity to carry out government projects, such as increasing the capacity of refineries. ?With Pertamina acquiring Rekind, we will have a very strong petrochemical EPC company,? Dahlan said.

Rekind President Director M. Ali Suharsono declined to comment on the idea, saying only that Rekind and Pertamina have long forged partnership, including in projects outside the country. ?Whenever they need to open up new areas at home or overseas, they usually talk to us.?

Pertamina Director of Investment Planning and Risk Management Afdal Bahaudin also declined to directly respond. ?For refinery capacity enhancement, we would still need foreign skills,? he said.(*)