Jokowi To Commission Tourism KEK of Mandalika

Central Lombok, W Nusa Tenggara, (Antara Sumbar) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) plans to commission the Tourism Special Economic Zone (KEK) of Mandalika in Central Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara on Friday.

"We thank God that President Joko Widodo would come to officially put into operation the Mandalika Tourism KEK," Chief Executive of PT Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) Abdulbar M Mansoer said here on Thursday.

Abdulbar M Mansoer said he is optimistic the KEK of Mandalika will have a multiplier effect on the economy of West Nusa Tenggara especially areas near the KEK.

Since ITDC built the infrastructure intensively in the location, there has been at least 10 business units in the form of homestay, restaurants, cafe, and retail shops began operating in the location of the zone.

The number is expected to increase soon to follow the progress in the operation of the KEK . In five years the KEK of Mandalika is expected to be able to accommodate almost 5,000 workers.

In addition, in a bid to boost the people's economy, ITDC is arranging a public area on the Kuta Mandalika beach and develop small and medium enterprises in the area.

Abdulbar said 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 pipe and electric networks of the state electricity company PLN.

There is also project of the first phase of Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) , which started operation in November 2016. The Mandalika zone is also equipped with a big mosque Masjid Nurul Bilad Mandalika with local architecture.

The ITDC has made ready an office of Mandalika KEK Administrator . Acceleration of the development of the KEK of Mandalika by ITDC was supported fully by the Finance Ministry through the Customs and Excise Directorate General.

The Customs and Excise itself is ready to facilitate development and expansion of the KEK of Mandalika in the forms of facility in the customs as regulated by the Finance Minister's regulation No104/PMK.010/2016. With the integrated licensing service , the licensing procedure for investment will take only 3 hours.

"With a total area of 1,175 hectares in the status of clean and clear, backed up by facilities in licensing, and in customs service, we are optimistic there would be more investors interested in investing in the KEK of Mandalika," Abdulbar said. (*)

Editor: Vicha Faradika