The Jakarta Globe reported that China and Indonesia have signed a USD 6 billion deal to build a nickel smelting plant on Sulawesi Island which will start production early next year and provide thousands of jobs.

Jilin Horoc Nonferrous Metal Group Co, owned by a Chinese provincial administration, will develop the industry in Bombana and North Konawe districts in Southeast Sulawesi province.

Mr Hatta Rajasa economic minister of Indonesia said that "The project will provide job opportunities for thousands of people. I hope it would start very soon. We will process it domestically so that there is no more raw material exports."

(Sourced from www.thejakartaglobe.com)