GOVT WANTS ACCELERATION OF MANDALIKA RESORT DEVELOPMENT

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 12 (Antara) - The government is impatient to see the completion of the Mandalika tourist resort development, which is also being built as a Special Economic Zone (KEK) to drive local economic activities and boost growth.         Vice President Jusu Kalla, when inspecting preparations for the construction of four star-rated hotels in the area Saturday, asked PT Indonesian Tourism Development Corporations (ITDC) management to accelerate the development of Mandalika which is being 'groomed'  as a world class tourist resort and special economic zone in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province.          The development of the Mandalika Special Economic Zone and Tourist Resort Area should be accelerated so that the local people could soon enjoy its economic benefits and improve their welfare, the Vice President said.           The Mandalika KEK project was planned 25 years ago but several constraints had always hampered its realization, he said.