TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Rido Matari Ichwan, head of the Regional Infrastructure Development Agency of the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry, said that the government would develop three tourist destinations using loans provided by the World Bank. He explained that the three tourist destinations are Toba Lake in North Sumatera, Borobudur Temple in Central Java, and Mandalika in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.

Rido revealed on Friday, October 28, 2016, in Jakarta that the loans amounted to US$300 million (Rp3,9 trillion) are expected to be disbursed in 2017.

He added that the Ministry has also earmarked Rp766 billion (US$58.9 million) to develop the three destinations. Rido claimed that the Ministry also supported the infrastructure development in the three destinations.

“For instance, we will help with the national and provincial road constructions to the tourist destinations,” he said.

Rido revealed that his ministry has sent a letter to the National Development Planning Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro proposing an integrated master plan for the three destinations, a list of foreign loan priority plans or green book, and a mechanism of the project preparation funding.

The integrated master plan is an activity of integrating master plans prepared by the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry, the Tourism Ministry, and other related ministries and institutions in connection with the development of the three tourist destinations.

DIKO OKTARA