The Australian government has promised to spare 50 million Australian dollars (some US$41 millions) for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the tsunami-hit province of Aceh, a minister said in Jakarta Monday.

"Now the Australian government has agreed and expressed their interest to pour 50 million Australian dollars to finance projects and programs in the Aceh Province. That is for the beginning," Indonesian State Minister and Head of Development Planning Board Sri Mulyani was quoted by the Detik Online as saying.

The total aid from the Australian government for Aceh is expected to reach 1 billion Australian dollars (some US$820 millions). Half of it will be grants and the other half soft loans, he added.

The Indonesian government will be involved in the planning and implementation of all the projects that benefit from Australia's money, Mulyani said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 22, 2005)