PRESIDENT TO CONSIDER GIVING 'SPECIAL TREATMENT' TO SOUTHEAST SULAWESI

Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Sept. 25 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked Southeast Sulawesi Governor Nur Alam to come to Jakarta in October or November 2008 to discuss the 'special treatment' needed by the province to boost its economic growth.
"You, governor, district heads and mayors, please come in October or November, and I will personally chair the discussion," President Yudhoyono said here on Thursday after presenting assistance to the local administration and people.
Governor Nur Alam in his address earlier asked the President for special treatment for Southeast Sulawesi Province.
Southeast Sulawesi abounds in mining resources such as nickel, however the problem was that most of the mineral resources were located in protected forests.
In response to the governor's report, President Yudhoyono said he would plan a meeting for October or November to be attended by related ministers such as State Enterprise Minister Sofyan Djalil.
He also asked the Southeast Sulawesi governor to prepare a concept to develop the province's mineral resources in the short, medium and long terms.
"There is no problem that cannot be dealt with," Yudhoyono said.
During his visit to Southeast Sulawesi, the president was accompanied by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo AS, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Aburizal Bakrie, Education Minister Bambang Sudibyo, and Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi.
On the occasion, the head of state reminded his audience that the province needed to invite domestic as well as foreign investors to develop its economy.
Governor Nur Alam responded by saying that he had invited businessmen from Arab countries and India to invest in the province.
President Yudhoyono arrived in Kendari on Thursday for a Ramadan (fasting month) safari in Southeast Sulawesi. Earlier, the President was on a Ramadan safari on Java Island, which took him to Central, East and West Java provinces.