Last year, with US$318 billion investment, China became the second-largest investor in 2017 after Singapore, whose investment reached $385 billion, said the minister, adding that in 2016, China was in 16^th position, recording $6.22 billion investment.

“We believe that China will become the largest investor in Indonesia this year,” said Arief on the sideline of the Safe Bali Campaign in Beijing on Tuesday as reported by Antara.

The 10 New Balis that are being promoted are: Lake Toba in North Sumatra, which needs $1.6 billion investment; Tanjung Kelayang in Bangka Belitung ($1.4 billion); Tanjung Lesung in Banten ($4 billion); Thousand Islands in Jakarta ($1.5 billion); Borobudur  in Central Java ($1.5 billion); Bromo-Tengger-Semeru in East Java ($1.4 billion); Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara ($3 billion); Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara ($1.2 billion); Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi ($1.5  billion); and Morotai in Maluku ($2.9 billion).

Arief said the government had developed basic infrastructure such as airports, seaports, and roads, as well as clean water and electricity networks to support tourism in the new destinations, which are expected to be completed in 2019.

“In Lake Toba, we have constructed an international airport. Airports in Yogyakarta and Belitung will follow soon. The investors will enjoy profits at least five times what has been invested,” Arief added. (bbn)

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