Kuwait to extend Indonesia $ 50 million soft loan

Kuwait will extend Indonesia a US$ 50 million soft loan to finance social projects, reported the Indonesian news agency ANTARA.

The announcement was made in Jakarta Friday by Kuwaiti ambassador to Jakarta Jamal al-Nesasi after a meeting with President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

He said requirements of the loan will be adjusted to the ones imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The Kuwaiti diplomat also announced that his country will help the Indonesian government build 15 refugee camps, each of which could accommodate 50 families. Each camp will be equipped with educational and health facilities and will offer job opportunities.

"It would be up to the Indonesian government to determine the location of the camps," he told newsmen.

Sectarian conflicts across Indonesia have displaced at least 1.3 million people.