Plans call for resorts and a meeting hall to be built along Lake Toba and surrounding areas, Pandjaitan said, following a meeting on Lake Toba and Nias, here on Tuesday.
"So, the development will be similar to those in Nusa Dua. There will be resorts and a convention center. Later, a convention center will not only be located in Bali, but people can go to Toba, too" he said.
Investors have asked when they could begin funding the projects. However, there are still problems, such as acquiring land and changing laws in the Toba location that need to be dealt with first, he added.
Pandjaitan chaired a meeting in his office to discuss a transfer of land, based on a letter from the North Sumatra Governor to the Environmental Affairs and Forestry Ministry.
"This is because the investors have pushed us. We also discussed when the work could begin there. When the initial design is obtained, we will decide who will handle the infrastructure, including water and electricity," he explained.
On June 1, 2016, President Joko Widodo signed presidential regulation No. 49 Year 2016 on the Authority Body of Lake Toba Tourism Area Management.
The government has designated Lake Toba as one of 10 priority tourist destinations to be promoted internationally.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
