C Lombok, W Nusa Tenggara, (Antara Sumbar) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has inaugurated Mandalika as a special economic area in Central Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara, with focus on the tourism industry.
The Mandalika special economic area for tourism was delayed for almost 29 years due to issues related to land acquisition, President Jokowi noted in his remarks at the inauguration event in Central Lombok on Friday.
President Jokowi had earlier believed that the slow progress in land acquisition in Mandalika was due to the high price or rejection from the locals.
However, on visiting the area in April 2015, he found that the regional heads were skeptical to build a special economic area for tourism since they did not as yet have any legal protection.
In fact, the low investor confidence to invest funds to develop the area also compounded the land acquisition issue in Mandalika.
"The governor and head of district were afraid. Hence, I discussed this matter during a cabinet meeting and then issued a presidential decree, and less than two months later, we were able to procure the land smoothly," he noted.
Based on Mandalika's case, President Jokowi has urged officials to work comprehensively to build a public project.
"This project would not have even been completed in 100 years if we did not work in detail. It applies to me as well. I would have never known that we had such a problem if I did not conduct an on-field visit," he said.
At the same time, Coordinating Minister for Economy Darmin Nasution, who is accompanying President Jokowi during the visit, said Mandalika is one of the 12 special economic areas in Indonesia.
"Hopefully, the inauguration of Mandalika will boost the tourism industry and improve the people's welfare in West Nusa Tenggara," he noted.
Currently, the government has channelled Rp250 billion worth of investment to the Indonesia Tourism Development Cooperation, as the operational board of the Mandalika special economic area.
President Jokowi has pledged that the government will provide additional funds worth some Rp1.8 trillion next year to support infrastructure development. (*)
Editor: Vicha Faradika
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