Bima

Bima – The nation's hottest city

Situated on the eastern shore of a bay on Sumbawa Island, Bima emerges as a pivotal port city linking to Eastern Indonesia. With a population of 161,000 and an area spanning 222.25 square kilometers, Bima, located in West Nusa Tenggara province, boasts a rich historical heritage, having served as the capital of the Bima Sultanate for over 300 years.

It is in this city that visitors can visit the Bima Sultanate Palace which was once the home of Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin and has in modern times been converted into a museum. Aside from being the home of Indonesian royalty, the building also has a notable room that was once used as a bedroom for Indonesia's founding father and first president Sukarno, who slept in a bed covered with transparent white curtains that is still preserved to this day.

Bima's status as a bustling port city is evident in its ancient Bima Harbor, facilitating the transportation of goods, agricultural produce, and livestock to destinations such as Surabaya, as well as facilitating travel to and from islands like Lombok and Makassar. Additionally, its coastal location provides access to stunning beaches, including Lawata Beach, situated at the city's entrance.

Regrettably, Bima's geographical location also bestows upon it the title of the country's hottest city, with temperatures soaring up to 39 degrees Celsius, hence its reputation of being the country’s hottest city.

Beyond its historical landmarks, Bima remains a vital regional and economic center in Eastern Sumbawa. The city's primary economic sectors, as indicated by its Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) in 2023 at Rp 8.64 trillion, encompassing Wholesale and Retail Trade (including Car and Motorcycle Repairs), followed by Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Recognized for its investor-friendly environment, Bima has recently attracted local investments, such as a Rp 25 billion contribution from a Sumbawa-based investor to construct a hotel, aimed at enticing tourists and investors visit.

Correspondingly, local authorities have actively engaged with foreign investors, including Koreans, inviting them to explore business opportunities within the city.