Menparekraf Sandiaga Uno: Labuan Bajo Readiness 90 Percent Ahead Of ASEAN Agenda 2023

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno (center) when in Labuan Bajo, NTT (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno revealed that his party continues to spur the completion of a number of facilities and infrastructure in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), ahead of the ASEAN 2023 agenda series chaired by Indonesia.

According to him, several basic infrastructures have been completed with the latest progress approaching completion.

"Labuan Bajo's readiness has reached 90 percent in its venue with road access that is already connected. Currently, we are continuing to run the electricity, clean water and also the communication network," he said when giving a statement to reporters after meeting with the President at the Merdeka Palace, Monday, January 30.

Sandi explained, within less than two months the entire meeting location is expected to be completed and ready for use.

"Mr. President will make a visit in March to check the final readiness so that it can be in accordance with the target, both in terms of organizing the ASEAN Summit and later tourist visits to Labuan Bajo," he said.

In the long term, Sandi said that the Head of State gave directions to expand the capabilities of transportation networks in Labuan Bajo, especially in terms of flights.

"Earlier it was also proposed that Komodo Airport be added (function and facilities) to be international so that it can accommodate flights from Australia and other regional flights," he said.

For information, Indonesia officially holds the mandate as chairman of ASEAN 2023 after continuing the leadership relay from Cambodia in 2022.

For this matter, the Ministry of Finance has recorded that it has requested additional allocation of funds of around Rp. 95 billion to the DPR as stated in the 2023 Work Plan and Budget (RKA).