Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla officially inaugurated the gamma irradiaton facility implemented with the professional contribution of Hungary’s Izotóp Kft.
On the inauguration ceremony, held on 15 November 2017 at Puspitek Serpong Complex in South Tangerang, Vice President Kalla and Muhammad Nasir, the minister responsible for research, technology and higher education praised Izotóp Kft.’s proficency and Hungary’s role in the implementation of the project.
Izotóp Kft. and the National Nuclear Energy Agency of Indonesia (BATAN) signed the agreement in February 2016 regarding the construction of the irradiation facility whose aim is to sterilize food products and disposable medical devices, using Co-60 rays.
The gamma irradiator was also considered a priority project by the Hungarian–Indonesian Joint Commission on Bilateral Economic Cooperation (JCEC). In November 2016, on the sidelines of the JCEC sitting in Jakarta, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Hungarian JCEC Co-Chair, Dr. László Szabó paid an official visit to the site of the gamma irradiation facility whose construction was completed in the second half of 2017, in accordance with the original schedule.
The total value of the project is USD 7,3 million of which the technology and equipments delivered by Hungary’s Izotóp Kft. accounts for approximately 20%.
The Indonesian government is planning to construct similar facilities in Surabaya, Semarang and Makassar as well as a learning unit in Yogyakarta, Indonesia’s biggest university town, also with Hungarian contribution and technology.