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NTB sets eyes on becoming an iconic place for pearls
The central government has promised to support the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) provincial administration’s effort to become an iconic place for South Sea Pearls, says a minister
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he central government has promised to support the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) provincial administration’s effort to become an iconic place for South Sea Pearls, says a minister.
The province is known for its rich marine and fishery resources, mostly from the waters off its two main islands, Lombok and Sumbawa.
The two islands are known for producing typical pearls with unique colors: bronze, emerald and silver, which are rarely produced in other parts of the world.
Such high-grade pearls are produced by Pinctada maxima oysters, the biggest oyster species, and can be harvested in three years.
“NTB is home to an extraordinary type of oysters, which cannot be cultivated in other waters, except in Lombok and Sumbawa,” said Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad.
“President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono wants the province to become an icon of the world’s pearls.”
Fadel and Cultural and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, inaugurated the 2010 Lombok Sumbawa Pearl Festival in Senggigi, West Lombok regency, on Thursday. The event runs until May 8.
Some 300 participants and representatives from 21 countries, such as the Philippines, Japan, Korea, China, the US and European countries, took part in the event.
Pearls have been cultivated in Lombok and Sumbawa since 1985, with development increasing in the 1990s, when around 36 pearl cultivation companies employed more than 1,500 people from the area.
The total are of pearl cultivation currently spans more than 6,000 hectares.
Fadel said Indonesia’s potential in pearl cultivation was very promising, as the country currently dominates the global market at 53 percent.
The quality of pearls from Indonesia compete with those produced in Japan and the United States.
However, Fadel said the price of pearls was still controlled by large corporations, such as from Japan, which was a disadvantage to Indonesian pearl producers.
“Our ministry plans to form a body to stockpile pearls so they can be sold when prices are good.”
Wacik said the festival was part of the government’s effort to support the “2012 Visit Lombok Sumbawa program”, expected to draw 1 million visitors to NTB in 2012.
Wacik said pearls and tourism were closely related, and in the future, it was hoped tourists would be charmed not only by NTB’s natural beauty, but also by its magnificent pearls.
