Province

West Nusa Tenggara

West Nusa Tenggara

West Nusa Tenggara is a province located in the western part of the Nusa Tenggara region of Indonesia. It consists of two main islands, Lombok and Sumbawa, as well as numerous smaller islands. With Mataram as its capital city and Lombok doubling as its largest city, West Nusa Tenggara covers an area of 19,675.89 square kilometers.

As of 2023, the population of West Nusa Tenggara amounts to 5.5 million people. Geographically, Lombok is mainly inhabited by the Sasak ethnic group along with the minority Balinese population. On the other hand, Sumbawa is inhabited by Sumbawa and Bimanese ethnic groups. Additionally, Dompu is also considered a majority ethnic group in West Nusa Tenggara. Other ethnic groups that inhabit the province include the Javanese, Bugis, East Nusa Tenggara, and Chinese people.

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West Nusa Tenggara’s economy

According to data from the West Nusa Tenggara Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the province’s Gross Domestic Regional Product (GRDP) as of 2023 reached Rp 103.9 billion. The largest contribution came from the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector at Rp 22.6 billion, followed by the mining and quarrying sector which contributed Rp 18.2 billion to the province’s GRDP. The wholesale and retail trade sector, including the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles sector, also contributed significantly to West Nusa Tenggara’s GRDP, achieving Rp 14.7 billion.

West Nusa Tenggara is also the host of the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which is expected to accelerate the potential of the tourism sector in the province. Initially proposed by PT Pengembangan Pariwisata Indonesia (Persero), the Mandalika SEZ has a concept of environmentally conscious tourism development, focusing on the construction of tourist attractions oriented towards the sustainability of environmental values and quality within the community. The SEZ is well known for its Mandalika International Street Circuit, located in the Mandalika resort area on Lombok Island. The circuit opened by hosting rounds of the Asia Talent Cup and Superbike World Championship in late 2021 and has been hosting Grand Prix motorcycle races since 2022.

Furthermore, national strategic projects (PSN) are being developed in East Nusa Tenggara, which encompasses sectors such as ports, airports, and dams. These projects include the development of Lombok Praya International Airport, the construction of dams such as Bintang Bano, Meninting, Beringin Sila, and Tiu Suntukm, and the development of facilities for processing and refining copper commodities by PT Amman Mineral Industri in West Sumbawa.

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Latest News

April 23, 2025

West Nusa Tenggara Governor Lalu Muhamad "Miq" Iqbal promoted investment opportunities for investors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), ranging from agriculture, animal husbandry, to mining, while  receiving a visit from the Indonesian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Husin Bagis at the West Nusa Tenggara Governor's Office in Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara on Apr. 3, 2025.

"The investment potential is still wide open in the mining sector," said Miq Iqbal.

It was revealed during the meeting that the new gold mine in Dompu Regency still requires additional investment to accelerate the process of exploiting gold in the site that have been explored for the past decade. The gold mine is managed by PT Sumbawa Timur Mining (STM),  a joint venture between Eastern Star Resources Pty Ltd, which owns 80 percent of PT STM's shares, and state-owned enterprise (SOE) PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam), which owns the remaining 20 percent.

Hence, Miq Iqbal hopes for UAE investors to enter West Nusa Tenggara's gold mining industry.

"We are very ready should Dubai and Abu Dhabi want to enter [the industry], because we are just waiting for the [gold mine] exploitation process," he explained.

Another investment opportunity is the smelter in West Sumbawa Regency. The products resulting from the smelter's processes, such as copper and sulfuric acid, could be used for industrial downstreaming - including in the production of cables and fertilizers.

"This smelter facility has been running well, especially with the construction of a power plan to meet it energy needs," explained Miq Iqbal.

He emphasized the importance of integrated ecosystem management so that investments could operate smoothly. Miq Iqbal also wants the provincial government to have shares in investments to the province, even if only a minority stake.

In addition, the provincial government plans to form a region-owned company (BUMD) that specifically manages strategic investments entering West Nusa Tenggara to provide assurance for investors who directed their capital to the province.

"So we take care of social issues and permits. These investors just have to do business safely," said the former Indonesian Ambassador to Turkey.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Husin said that the Indonesian Embassy in the UAE had met with potential investors who were interested in developing a job training center in West Nusa Tenggara. He also conveyed the high demand for health workers in the UAE. especially experienced nurses, from several health care facilities in the country.

"This could be an opportunity for West Nusa Tenggara to prepare nurses who have work experience. While waiting for job placement, they can add to their work experience in hospitals here," said Husin.

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