Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Presidential Staff Office (KSP) reiterated that development of the Mandalika International Circuit in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) constitutes a long-term investment aimed at realizing equitable development in accordance with the Indonesia-centric concept.

The statement was delivered by KSP's Chief Expert Staff Helson Siagian in Jakarta on Friday, in response to the public spotlight on the circuit development and construction that led the Indonesian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) to bear a debt of Rp4.6 trillion (US$308 million).

"The circuit development constitutes a breakthrough that has been carefully prepared to stimulate the emergence of new tourism centers, especially in NTB. This serves as one of the concrete proof of President Joko Widodo's commitment to realizing equitable development in Indonesia," he affirmed.

Siagian noted that the use of the Mandalika Circuit as a venue for various international-level races, such as the MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3, World Superbike (WSBK), and Asia Talent Cup, has resulted in a prominent and sustainable economic multiplier effect.

In that context, he cited as an example the holding of the 2023 WSBK in the circuit that generated a gain of Rp5 trillion (US$334.5 million) for the economic movement ecosystem in Indonesia.

"We (the KSP) are optimistic that in the next few years, the Mandalika Circuit development will provide even greater impacts and strengthen NTB as one of the sustainable super priority tourism destinations (DPSPs)," he affirmed.

Speaking in connection with the discourse on WSBK exclusion in the Mandalika Circuit, the expert staff said it should not be a polemic, as the circuit still has the potential to host several other international events, such as the Porsche Challenge and L'Etape Indonesia by Tour de France.

"MotoGP too, of course," he stressed.

The Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit lies at the Mandalia Special Economic Zone, Central Lombok District. The circuit was inaugurated by President Widodo in 2021 and has a track length of 4.31 kilometers, with 17 corners and large run-off areas.

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Translator: indra Arief, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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