Bungku (Antara Bali) - A new seaweed processing factory is being built in the regency of Morowali, Central Sulawesi, with a daily production capacity of three tons of seaweed chips and powder.
The project to cost around Rp5 billion is to be completed in April this year, H. Rahman, the director of PT. Serba Teknik, that owns the project, said here on Thursday.
Rahman said in 2011, his company received Rp1.5 billion worth of seaweed processing machine in assistance from the industry ministry
"So far I have spent around Rp3 billion on the project and I have yet to invest Rp500 billion more to complete the project being built in the village of Bahonsuai," he said.
He said he builds the project as the market is open in South Sulawesi for half finished products of seaweed and the raw material is available in abundance in the area.
He said, there is no problem in marketing as he already has big industry as partner which could take all of the output from the factory. He said local farmers will also benefit from the operation of the factory , which will provide a captive market for their raw seaweed. (*/DWA)
