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Ministry, Singapore investors to discuss investment in Toba
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A number of tourists enjoy the view of Lake Toba in North Sumatra, one of the 10 regions being developed as the country’s main tourist destinations. (Antara/Ahmad Subaidi)
T
he Tourism Ministry will hold talks with Singaporean investors in two weeks to discuss the latter’s interest in investing in the scenic Lake Toba, North Sumatra, an official has said.
“In about two weeks there will be a conference between the ministry and potential investors from Singapore,” the ministry's head of development acceleration for priority tourist destinations, Hiramsyah S. Thaib, said on Thursday.
Lake Toba is one of 10 regions being developed by the government into prominent tourist destinations.
Hiramsyah said Singaporean diplomats from its embassy in Jakarta had met with Minister Arief Yahya at the latter’s office and expressed interest in investing in Lake Toba.
(Read also: Silangit Airport expansion to finish in April)
The interest from Singaporean investors coincides with the expansion of the runway at Silangit Airport to 2,600 meters. The airport is expected to attain international airport status by the end of the year, Hiramsyah added.
"Then the airport can welcome direct flights from Singapore, that's why they are interested," he said, adding that the mountain, lake and culture around Toba were also cited as enticing factors for Singapore.
Hiramsyah said there was no definite figure on the investment commitment yet, but said the area, like the country's nine other priority destinations, was estimated to require Rp 10 trillion (US$749.5 million) in investment.
Singapore itself is among the top five contributors of foreign tourists to Indonesia for the last three years. (bbn)
