The project will provide many jobs and will indirectly draw other investors to the region, the head of the regional manpower and transmigration office, Abuhari Hamzah, said here on Saturday.
The US$1.6 billion project has been in the process of construction since last year to be completed in 2014.
The project will process all nickel ores into ferro-nickel, produced in this region, Abuhari said.
New jobs will be created not only in the factory but also in other related business and industrial units expected to grow in the region, he said.
He said trade will expand, new restaurants will be opened and transport business will be brisker all needing new workers.
The project will also contribute to increasing the regional income in tax , he added.
He said in recruiting workers the state mining company has pledged to give priority to local people although skilled workers may have to bring in from other regions.
A number of high education institutes in North Maluku such as Muhammadiyah University have from the beginning prepared skilled workers to work in mining sector, he said.
(H-ASG)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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