Governor Koster Asks Jokowi To Focus On Restoring Bali: Many Layoffs, Tourists Are Very Heavy

Bali Governor Wayan Koster on "Sarasehan Acceleration of National Economic Recovery Meeting Stakeholders" at Avurpa Kempinski Bali (Bali Provincial Government)

BADUNG - Bali Governor Wayan Koster asked the central government to ask for specific policies in bali's economic recovery efforts, especially the pariwisiata sector.

"As a world tourist destination, Bali tourism players are most affected (COVID-19 pandemic). Therefore, I think it would be wise if the central government and the House of Representatives have specific policies for Bali," said Governor Koster at the "Sarasehan Acceleration of National Economic Recovery Meeting Stakeholders" event at Avurpa Kempinski Bali, Nusa Dua, on Friday, April 9.

Governor Koster also expects all policymakers to consistently address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that is causing economic contraction in Bali.

"If the situation is normal, bali's contribution to foreign exchange from the tourism sector. But now it's stuck, with the worst economic contraction in history," he explained.

" (For) tourists is very heavy. Many are laid off, homeless, unable to pay salaries, some are not even operational. I am grateful that balinese tourists are still patient, but we do not know until when this will happen," he said.

During the normal conditions of medio 2019, as many as 6.3 million foreign tourists (Wisman) came to Bali equivalent to 39 percent of the total number of national guesthouses. The figure also means the amount of foreign exchange amounting to 29 percent of the total foreign exchange of Indonesia's tourism sector.

"Not to mention for wisdom (domestic tourists) where there are 10.5 million people coming to Bali. So the economy is very dependent on tourism, and if normal our economic growth is always above the national average," Koster said.

Koster wants Bali tourism players to get specific fiscal assistance that can save the economic pillars of the Island of the Gods.

"I appreciate the performance of the center and the House of Representatives for the recovery of Bali and specifically we propose to disburse working capital to sectors severely affected by COVID-19, namely tourism, hospitality, and restaurants," koster said.

"Soft loans with light interest. I am sure, in 2023 when conditions improve, they (tourists) will fulfill their obligations, because on average they are good people, very tax-compliant," he said.