TEMPO.CO, Manado - The North Sulawesi Provincial Government is committed to tighten the rules on investment in natural resource extraction, taking into account its impacts on the environment, in a bid to preserve local tourism ecosystems.

North Sulawesi Deputy Governor Steven Kandouw said that his administration will focus on the development of tourism sector given that the region has an abundance of natural resources. On the possible investments to extract its natural resources, he has confirmed that the administration will tighten the rules and select them carefully.

“We are not against mining, but if they are destroying the environment, we chose not to [allow the investment]. Mr. Governor wants to develop tourism, so if the environment was destroyed due to more investments, it would not match [his vision],” he said on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Consultation Meeting On Implementation of UNEA-2 Resolution, as quoted by Bisnis.com

For example, he went on, the regional administration has yet to issue the operational permit to the mining company who intends to extract the natural resources of Bangka Island, North Minahasa, despite the nickel mining company PT Mikgro Metal Perdana (MMP) having secured the Decree of the Energy and Mineral Resources Minister on iron ore mining license.

“We’ve been a little stubborn. It’s for the good of North Sulawesi anyway,” he said.

The North Sulawesi Investment Coordinating Board data shows that of total 359 investments in the region, energy and mineral resources sector ranked sixth with total 44 investments. Meanwhile, tourism sector occupies second spot with 60 investments, behind industrial sector with total 112 investments.

Therefore, Steven said that a better synergy is needed between the central and regional government, particularly in selecting investment priorities according to the characteristics of the region.

BISNIS.COM