Tuesday, October 24, 2017

MANDALIKA, NEW ATTRACTION OF W NUSA TENGGARA TOURISM INDUSTRY by Fardah

Jakarta, Oct 24, 2017 (Antara)- Mandalika Resort, located in Kuta Bay, Central Lombok District, Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), is developing into a new attraction of tourism industry in the province.
         The Mandalika Special Economic Zone (KEK) project, worth around US$3 billion, is believed to have a multiplier effect on the economy of NTB to help achieve the government's target of receiving at least 20 million foreign tourists by 2019.
        According to Abdulbar M Mansoer, Chief Executive of PT Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), the operator of Mandalika KEK project, at least 10 business units such as home stays, restaurants, cafe, and retail shops have begun operating in the zone.
        Currently, ITDC is continuing to prepare a number of infrastructure projects to be completed in 2018, such as a 17-kilometer thoroughfare in the zone, clean water pipes, and electric networks of the state electricity company PLN.
        There is also a project of the first phase of Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO), which started operation in November 2016. The Mandalika zone also has a big mosque Masjid Nurul Bilad Mandalika with local architecture.
       In a bid to boost the people's economy, ITDC is arranging a public area on the Kuta Mandalika beach and developing small and medium enterprises in the area.    
   Acceleration of the development of the Mandalika KEK was supported fully by the Finance Ministry, through the Customs and Excise Directorate General.


         The Finance Ministry's Customs and Excise, in line with the Finance Minister's regulation No104/PMK.010/2016, has been providing facilities to support the development of the Mandalika project, which needs domestic as well foreign investors.
        With the integrated licensing service, the licensing procedure for investment will take only 3 hours.
        "With a total of 1,175 hectares of clean and clear area, backed up by facilities in licensing and in customs service, we are optimistic that there would be more investors who would be interested in investing in the KEK of Mandalika,"  he stated.
        President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Oct 19 officially commissioned the operation of the Mandalika KEK in Central Lombok District.
       The government has channeled Rp250 billion worth of investment to the ITDC.
       Jokowi has pledged that the government would provide additional funds, worth some Rp1.8 trillion next year, to support infrastructure development.
         During the inauguration ceremony, the president called for developing Mandalika area into a green project.
        The NTB governor, Mandalika district head, local military commander, and the ITDC, should work together to make the area green and beautiful, the head of state remarked.
         The president vowed to provide hundreds or thousands of plants, if requested, to make the area green again.
         He also suggested that all buildings in Mandalika should have a traditional architecture that showcases the local culture and arts. Moreover, the buildings should have toilet facilities of international standard.
        The president also called for the construction of handicraft and souvenir centers or markets in the area.
         Besides this, he also called for a clear rule in place for investors interested in developing Mandalika.
         "When is it going to be built? Signing alone is not sufficient. Revoke the permit if the construction does not begin within six months since many (investors) are currently queuing up in Mandalika," Jokowi noted.
         The president remarked that he had offered an opportunity to Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who visited Indonesia on Oct 17 and 18, 2017, to invest in Mandalika.
          "Yesterday, I met Sheikh Tamim Al Thani. I showed him pictures of this area. Sheikh Thani was impressed by the beauty of Mandalika. He immediately said 'President Jokowi, let me take them all,' but I told him 'wait,' until he sends a team, and we will discuss it," he pointed out.
         Jokowi hoped that the investment in Mandalika KEK could be realized, as, if it is developed, it would have an impact on the welfare and economy of the people around the area.
         The Head of State has ordered his ministers to follow up on the results of the recent visit of the Qatari Emir.
        "This week, we will hold a meeting and will then offer several projects there (to Qatar)," Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan stated on Oct 23, 2017.
        One of the projects to be offered to Qatar is the Mandalika project, which is the largest project of its kind in Southeast Asia.
        The Emir has expressed interest to invest in Indonesia. As the KEK Mandalika has good prospects, it will be offered to the Middle East country, he noted.
        The KEK Mandalika has a terminal for cruise ships, and its airport's runway will be expanded to reach up to 3 thousand meters. A halal resort will also be built in Mandalika.
        "Qatar could be involved in all of those," Pandjaitan revealed.
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(f001/INE)
EDITED BY INE


(T.F001/A/BESSR/Suharto) 24-10-2017

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