Mining sector expected to contribute Rp 2.5 trillion in state budget

The government expects to generate about Rp 2.5 trillion (1US$=Rp 8,500) in cash from the privatization of state companies operating in the mining sector.

I Nyoman Tjager, the secretary of the office of the state minister of investment and state enterprises development, said in Jakarta on Friday that the Rp 2.5 trillion would be part of the Rp 6.5 trillion targeted from the privatization program in the current fiscal year.

Nyoman did not mention the names of the mining companies which had been put into the privatization program. But earlier reports said that they would include coal mining operator PT Tambang Bukit Asam and general mining company PT Aneka Tambang.

The government plans to privatize 10 state companies in the current fiscal year to help finance the state budget. (*)