Jakarta - Minister Coordinating People's Welfare  Aburizal Bakrie said in Jakarta on Wednesday the government will disburse Rp90 billion to support the First Asian Beach Games (ABG) to be held in Bali from October 18 to 26, 2008.

"This is a big assistance from the government, as the total cost of the event is estimated to reach Rp 160 billion. We will also get a contribution from the Ministry of Tourism and Education in the form of equipment. We are also hoping for assistance from state-owned companies and private businesses,"  Aburizal said after an ABG coordination meeting with Sports and Youth Minister  Adhyaksa Dault and General Chairwoman of the Indonesian Sports Committee (KONI) Rita Subowo in Jakarta.

Under the current circumstances, the government cannot expect too much from state-owned enterprises because  Rp1.2 trillion from the Welfare Ministry is focused more on the development of small business credits.

"In the current energy crisis, all the funds in state enterprises are prioritized for small business credits and the building of cheap markets for the ordinary people. But still we hope that 30-50 percent of private businesses will take part in making this event a success," he said.

Aburizal told the ABG organizing committee to launch an intensive promotion so that the general public would become more familiarized with this first ever event.

In the meantime, Rita Subowo said the rest of the money is expected to be gained from private enterprises, considering that the event with 45 partipants from Asia could be used as a means of promotion.

- Source : Antara News Agency, 29 May 2008