In Jakarta
Nia Sarinastiti
Phone: +6221 5299 3134
Email:  nsarinastiti@ifc.org

In Hong Kong
Desmond Dodd
Phone: +852 2509 8183
Email: ddodd@ifc.org


Jakarta, May 12, 2005 —The International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, today approved a grant contribution of $185,000 to Cascal Services, a water services company, for its activities supporting post-tsunami development in Aceh.

Cascal has donated five Stella mobile water treatment plants to the government of Indonesia through the local public water utility in Aceh.  Each unit is capable of producing up to 200,000 liters per day of potable water. The number of households that benefit is estimated 2,000 - 5,000 per plant, or a total of 20,000. The units are located in refugee camps around the Lhokseumawe area of Samudera. Other proposed sites could include Tanah Pasir and Muara Baru.  IFC’s grant will provide Cascal the ability to extend the operation of the plants and continue training local government technicians on operations.

“Private companies have the technology and management skills to play an important role in delivery of basic services and the development of Aceh. Access to clean water is an essential part of the ongoing relief effort.” said German Vegarra, IFC country manager for Indonesia. “This partnership with Cascal will make a difference for many of Aceh's people still recovering from the tragedy.”

Cascal Services Ltd, a UK-based services company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cascal BV, a Dutch company that owns, operates, and develops a range of water company investments in various parts of the world, including Indonesia, Philippines, South Africa, UK, Mexico, and Chile.  Cascal BV is a joint venture between the Biwater Group and the NV Nuon Group.  It has a local presence in Indonesia through Adhya Tirta Batam Indonesia where it has a 50% stake.

Numerous private companies are playing a vital role in emergency relief work in the affected countries. Using the assets, expertise, and people on the ground, they are contributing to the rapid delivery of relief supplies by providing telecommunications, logistics, health care, and other critical services. This complements the work of governments, NGOs, and international relief agencies.

The mission of IFC (www.ifc.org) is to promote sustainable private sector investment in developing countries, helping to reduce poverty and improve people’s lives. IFC finances private sector investments in the developing world, mobilizes capital in the international financial markets, helps clients improve social and environmental sustainability, and provides technical assistance and advice to governments and businesses. From its founding in 1956 through FY04, IFC has committed more than $44 billion of its own funds and arranged $23 billion in syndications for 3,143 companies in 140 developing countries. IFC’s worldwide committed portfolio as of FY04 was $17.9 billion for its own account and $5.5 billion held for participants in loan syndications.