Bali To Host Lesser Sunda Islands Expo 2018

Denpasar (Antara Bali) - The province of Bali will host the Sunda Kecil (Lesser Sunda Island) Expo, in 2018, to promote the potentials of Bali, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

"The Lesser Sunda Islands Program groups three provinces - Bali, NTB, and NTT. The forum was formed in 2008, aimed at creating synergy in developing the potentials of each region," chairman of the joint secretariat of the Sunda Kecil Forum Jayadi Jaya said here on Thursday.

Jayadi Jaya, who is head of the Government Bureau and Autonomy at the Bali administration secretariat said Sunda Kecil Expo is one of the agenda of the Sunda Kecil Forum

"Bali, NTT and NTB have potential natural wealth that could attract foreign and local tourists . Therefore, we need explorations to draw more tourists to the regions," he said.

The row of small islands in the Lesser Sunda Islands with varying and unique cultures and tourism wealth such as natural tourism, religious tourism, and different ethnic groups in almost district areas , also a proven pillar for the empowerment of the people`s economy, he said.

He said the role of tourism from year to year is getting more important in the development of the regions in general as tourism industry has potential and growing contribution to the economy of the three provinces.

"Therefore, promotion of the three provinces is important to attract more tourists and investors," he said.

The "expo" is expected to contribute to development of the natural potentials in the regions, he added.

"For that purpose, we hold the expo to coincide with implementation of the Working Meeting of Governor of the three members of the forum . In 2018, Bali has been named as the host for the activities," he said. (WDY)