W. Sumatra to cooperate with South Korea on highway project

The West Sumatra administration and the South Korean government are scheduled to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the construction of the 23 kilometer long Padang bypass in May.

"I will leave for South Korea in May to sign the agreement on a Rp300-billion (US$225 million) road construction project," West Sumatra Governor Gamawan Fauzi said in the provincial capital on Thursday, as quoted by state news agency Antara.

He said the project was planned by the central government with the goal of making the province an economic center that would continue to develop well in the future.

"This road will be widened into two lanes in order to facilitate the transportation of goods from Teluk Bayur port to Minangkabau International Airport," the governor said.

He added that the central government this year disbursed Rp12 billion of funds to clear land for the road project.

In addition, he said the runway of the Minangkabau International Airport would be extended this year.

"With the optimization of airport, seaport, and road facilities in West Sumatra, I am optimistic that the economic activity in the province will continue to develop," Gamawan said. (dre)