JAKARTA, INDONESIA  (July 19, 2004) – On July 16, 2004, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a $360,000 grant to P.T. Perusahaan Listrik Negara Persero (PLN), the national electric power utility of Indonesia, to fund technical assistance on an information technology (IT) systems project.  The USTDA-funded technical assistance is designed to provide the company with a strategic evaluation of its information technology requirements, including integrated software solutions and hardware infrastructure requirements.

The grant was conferred in a signing ceremony held at PLN headquarters.  Ms. Margaret Keshishian, Counselor for Commercial Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, signed the grant agreement on behalf of the U.S. Government.  Ir. Sunggu Anwar Aritonang, Director of Commerce and Customer Service at PLN, signed the agreement on behalf of the grantee. 

The limitations of Indonesia’s existing electricity infrastructure are one of the leading constraints to the country’s overall economic development.  To address Indonesia’s increasing demand for electricity, PLN is undertaking an aggressive upgrade and expansion of its power generation, transmission, and distribution capabilities.  Part of this effort will include the implementation of more advanced IT systems in order to manage the growth and operation of the utility’s physical assets.

The USTDA grant awarded last week will help the company to develop comprehensive, corporate-wide IT systems.  In addition, the USTDA-funded technical assistance will facilitate electricity transmission and distribution in Indonesia by promoting the interoperability of IT systems and improving the utility’s internal operations.

The grant also reflects the U.S. Government’s overall commitment to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum’s objective of advancing regional economic growth and prosperity.  In particular, the technical assistance supported by the grant will facilitate Indonesia’s economic development by promoting investment in the country’s energy sector and strengthening its IT and physical infrastructure.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries.  The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment.  USTDA’s strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development.  In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.

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