REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, CENTRAL LOMBOK -- Indonesia is seeking to make the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (KEK) for tourism in Lombok Tengah District, West Nusa Tenggara, an economic engine for the region. "The Mandalika KEK must immediately become an engine to drive economic growth and grab a competitive bargain for West Nusa Tenggara and Indonesia, in general," Chief Economic Minister Darmin Nasution stated here on Saturday while inspecting the zone.

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He expressed belief that the Mandalika KEK would become an engine of growth for the region.  He expressed optimism that the operation of the Mandalika KEK would help the local communities, especially the younger generation, to immediately take advantage of the economic activities to be initiated as global competition is growing increasingly stiffer. "We must not remain passive and become mere spectators," he added.

Nasution said the government hoped the economic activities would immediately grow in the Mandalika KEK. "The Mandalika KEK must become our capital to develop entrepreneurship and boost exponential economic growth," he added.