SOE Minister Wants Red Plate Company To Develop Labuan Bajo To Be The Next Bali

Illustration of Labuan Bajo (photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - SOE Minister Erick Thohir believes that the Labuan Bajo area, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) can become an area equivalent to the island of the Gods of Bali. Therefore, Erick wants state-owned companies to participate in developing the area.

Currently, said Erick, his party is reviewing the role of SOEs in developing these tourist areas, including the role of BUMN Karya and tourism.

"I have confidence that Labuan Bajo will be The Next Bali. Pak (President) Joko Widodo also has to consider why choosing Labuan Bajo for the ASEAN Summit later," said Erick at the Ministry of SOEs, Jakarta, Wednesday, May 3.

Furthermore, Erick emphasized the assignment that had been given to the Ministry of SOEs to develop an area in Labuan Bajo as a potential tourism point, namely Tana Mori.

Therefore, his party together with related SOEs are conducting a study to sharpen the development of Tana Mori. Erick said the review was carried out to review its development plans.

According to Erick, this step is needed because developing a good tourism area requires a fairly wide study of land.

"So we are reviewing Tana Mori to be like Nusa Dua (Bali)," he said.

Erick emphasized that the development of Labuan Bajo, including Tanah Mori, needs to pay attention to three things. First, the tourism potential, Second, the infrastructure. Third, the role of the community.

Third, continued Erick, this must be met with synergy between the central government, local governments (Pemda), SOEs to the private sector.

"It is necessary for the local government and the private sector to provide training to the public to be ready. Then, SOEs will help build an integrated area. Because Labuan Bajo is The Next Bali. It has been seen, the port has been opened, and airports continue to be upgraded," said Erick.