President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) visited the Mandalika Special Economic Zone in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Friday, to get a first-hand glimpse of the facilities, including green open space, sidewalks, and special areas for small and medium enterprises.

Several cabinet members comprising Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung and Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono were present along with Jokowi during the brief visit undertaken to review the available facilities at this special economic zone stretching from the edge of Kuta Beach.

The Mandalika Special Economic Zone became operational following its launch by Jokowi on October 20, 2017. It has been developed for the tourism industry as well as for the purposes of natural and cultural preservation.

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Spanning a total area of 1,250 hectares, this special zone is managed by the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and offers innate beauty and other attractions.

The Mandalika Special Economic Zone is projected to have two thousand hotel rooms, world-class racing circuits, convention centers, and seven hotels by this year.

Lombok Island, situated in proximity to Bali Island, has drawn domestic and foreign travellers, as it not only provides trekking opportunities on Mount Rinjani but also offers picturesque beaches along with several fishing areas and diving spots.

In November 2018, an investor from the Chinese province of Anhui had shown interest to invest in Lombok Island’s tourism sector since he had earlier sent Chinese tourists to the island.

After a visit to the Mandalika Special Economic Zone, Jokowi, who departed for Lombok Island aboard the Presidential aircraft-1 from the Halim Perdana Kusuma Air Force base in Jakarta, offered Friday prayer at a mosque in Rembitan Village, Pujut Sub-district.

After a visit to Central Lombok District, Jokowi headed to the resort island of Bali to review the implementation of the Village Fund Program in Kutuh Village, Kuta Selatan Sub-district, Badung District.

Jokowi and his entourage then stayed overnight in the resort island to continue his working visit on Saturday.