Gorontalo, (ANTARA GORONTALO) - Japanese investor Tokyo Food and Kanimatsu Corporation is keen to build a cocoa processing factory in Boalemo District, Gorontalo Province, Vice Governor of Gorontalo Idris Rahim stated.
The Gorontalo provincial administration welcomes and supports the Japanese investor`s plans to process cocoa crops in the area, although the factory will be on a small scale, Rahim remarked here on Thursday.
"The supply of cocoa beans will not come solely from Boalemo District but also from several districts in Gorontalo, such as Pohuwato, Bone Bolango, and Gorontalo," he revealed.
Cocoa beans will also be sourced from South Bolaang Mongondow and East Bolaang Mongondow, North Sulawesi Province, and Central Sulawesi, he added.
He expressed hope that the factory would continue to develop in line with the increase in cocoa production in Gorontalo.
"We hope the factory built by the Japanese investor would improve economic growth and prosperity of the locals," the vice governor said.