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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