Jakarta. Real Estate Indonesia Chairman Sulaiman Sumawinata said the property association has mapped out plans for an investment in resort island Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara.

"We've mapped out an investment plan and we're going to organize a meeting with officials in Mandalika as soon as possible," he said during a visit to the island on Monday (03/04).

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya and his marketing deputy Esthy Astuti as well as his deputy head of business and government incentives Karnoza Hendry went with Sulaiman to the island on Monday.

Sulaiman said REI's Mandalika investment will be crucial for its members' business expansion.

"We think Mandalika will be even more beautiful than Nusa Dua in Bali. The location is also very accessible, only 30 minutes from the Lombok International airport," he added.

Esthy and Karnoza said the ministry is also preparing the development of a special economic region (KEK) in Mandalika.

They will start with building new facilities and infrastructure in the island to make it more convenient for tourists and investors.

"We've set up the requirements to develop KEK in Mandalika, including how much land we'll need and how many administrators we will have to hire. Infrastructure and facilities will be built by the relevant authorities in Mandalika," Esthy said.

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said the ministry will set up a "green infrastructure" in Mandalika.

"We will produce drinking water in Mandalika from a desalination plant. And the island will be powered by solar energy plants," he added.

The minister said the green infrastructure should attract world-class investors to the island's special economic region.

"The KEK in Mandalika can be a model for similar development in other regions in Indonesia," he added.

Arief said the Indonesian Tourism Development Corporation can play the role of a regional council in Mandalika.

"The council will be working with local communities to keep the social and economic climate healthy and protect the environmental integrity of the area," he said.

"If the KEK thrives in Mandalika, local communities will be able to enjoy many sustainable benefits," he added.