We truly hope that the central government can realize the Lintas Timur-Sungailiat tourism SEZ.
Sungailiat, Bangka Belitung (ANTARA) - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno has said that his ministry will coordinate with the related ministry to assist the Bangka district government in developing a tourism special economic zone (SEZ).

"Later, I will coordinate with the related coordinating minister to know more about the progress of the development of the tourism SEZ in Lintas Timur-Sungailiat area, Bangka district (in Bangka Belitung Islands province)," he informed here on Saturday.

He noted that the region is both a tourism and tin ore mining area. Thus, the minister said, he expects that the activities of the two sectors will not disrupt each other.

For instance, the tourism awareness group and local community of Perlang village in Central Bangka district, Bangka Belitung Islands province, managed to develop a former tin ore mining area into an attractive tourist attraction, he pointed out.

Through the attempt, the village won the Indonesian Tourism Village Award (ADWI) 2022, he added.

Uno emphasized that the local governments in Bangka Belitung Islands province must develop sustainable tourism as well as tourism based on the implementation of good governance and green economy.

During his visit to Sungailiat, the minister also participated in the Sungailiat Triathlon 2023. He expressed the hope that the event would be included in the national tourism calendar among sports, music, and creative events.

He said that he believes that the sporting event can help revive local tourism and the creative economy, which were affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Earlier, the Head of Bangka district Mulkan asked the minister to help the local government to follow up on the progress of the development of the Lintas Timur-Sungailiat tourism SEZ.

He said that the development plan for the SEZ was discussed in 2016, and the local government prepared an area for the development of the special economic area; however, the program is yet to be realized.

"We truly hope that the central government can realize the Lintas Timur-Sungailiat tourism SEZ,” he added.

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Translator: Kasmono, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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