NTT GEARS UP FOR SAIL KOMODO 2013 By Fardah

     Jakarta, July 27, 2012 (ANTARA) - The East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) administration, which is responsible for the organisation of Sail Komodo 2013, has started kicking things into high gear by sprucing up the city to welcome foreign guests and participants.
     The annual international maritime event, attended by sailors from as many as 20 countries, is expected to capture the imagination of the world through eye-catching events that showcase the true spirit of Indonesia.

      The authorities have already started developing the province`s infrastructure. Roads, seaports, airports and roads here will soon undergo major renovation.
      Sailors from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cayman Island, Cook Island, Finland, France, Germany, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Vanuatu, Fiji, Austria, South Africa and Japan are expected to take part.
       They will take two different routes leading to Labuan Bajo, the western tip of Flores Island, where the Sail Komodo`s major leg will take place.
      A ship parade and a civic mission are part of the event, held on an outer most isle in the country every year.
      Sail Bunaken in 2009, Sail Banda (2010), Sail Wakatobi and Bangka Belitung (2011) were the previous editions of the event. Sail Morotai will be held this year.

"All airports and seaports in the province, particularly the El Tari Airport in Kupang and Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo, will be renovated," head of NTT`s Transportation Office Bruno Kupok said in Kupang recently.

The El Tari airport`s apron will be expanded to accommodate up to 20 planes at a time. The length of its runway will be doubled, while toilets, arrival and departure lounges will also get a facelift.

The central government is soon expected to allocate a budget for the renovation and expansion of airports, managed by the state airport management company PT Angkasa Pura I.



Tourism potential to get a boost

According to NTT Governor Lebu Raya, Sail Komodo 2013 will help accelerate the economic and tourism growth in the province, located in the eastern part of Indonesia.

Governor Frans Lebu, too, sounded optimistic, stating that Sail Komodo 2013 is expected to promote NTT`s tourism potential worldwide and improve the local economy.

According to data from the Culture and Tourism Ministry, around 45,000 tourists visited Komodo island in 2010. This year, about 55,000 tourists are expected.

The major tourist attractions in NTT include Komodo National Park in West Manggarai District, Kelimutu National Park in Ende District, 17 Islands Marine Park in Riung, Ngada District, traditional whaling in Lamalera, Lembata District, Kepa Marine Park Pantar Strait Alor District, megalithic culture in Sumba and Nemberala Beach in Rote Ndao District.

The Komodo National Park was declared a World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1986, highlighting the biological importance of the park, which is home to the world`s largest lizard, the Komodo dragon.

Varanus komodoensis (a large species of lizard) is also found only on the Indonesian isles of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang and Gili Dasami, which are part of the Komodo National Park.

Tourism and Creative Economic Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, who visited the Komodo National Park last Sunday (July 22) to evaluate the preparations for Sail Komodo 2013, said that certain existing facilities in NTT needed to be modernised before the mega event.



Economic Prospects

The total estimated funds to develop the province`s infrastructure will be around Rp3.7 trillion, said chairman of the NTT Regional Development Plan (Bappeda), Marius Jelamu, recently.

Of the total sum, about Rp1.4 trillion is expected to be allocated in the amended State Budget 2012 and Rp2.3 trillion in the State Budget 2013, he added.

East Nusa Tenggara is one of the provinces included in the Master Plan for Acceleration and Expansion of Economic Development (MP3EI) programme, drawn up to strengthen the country`s economic development by focusing on improving the connectivity between the major regions.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa stated that the MP3EI in 2012 covers 89 projects in six economic corridors.

These 89 projects comprise 39 infrastructure projects, with a total investment valued at Rp195.940 trillion, and 50 projects in the real sector, with an investment worth Rp294.787 trillion.

NTT, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and Bali are grouped in the fifth corridors of MP3EI.

For NTT, the MP3EI projects will give priorities for the development of, among other things, the road and airport infrastructure, tourism industry, animal husbandry, and fisheries. ***2***

(f001/INE/B003)