Mataram, W Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will conclude his three-day working visit in Lombok by starting a ground-breaking development of Mandalika Resort on Friday morning.

Located along the coastal beach of Kuta in Lombok Tengah district, West Nusa Tenggara, and some some 70 km south of Mataram, Mandalika Resort is expected to revive the tourism sector in Lombok.

The resort is a representative area where a number of star-rated hotels have been built for international events and for visiting guests and tourists from other countries.

History has proven that the land in the southern part of Lombok is not good for farming due to the high level of acidity, lack of water and hot weather.

But with beautiful beaches, it makes the area good for tourism resort that was supported by a United Nations Development Program decision in 1987.

The land from Kuta Beach up to Gunung Kelluh Beach was chosen for Mandalika Tourism Resort for it is suitable for recreation on the land and in the sea as it has fascinating scenery both on the ground and underwater.

The policy of the central government of Indonesia is that tourism in the eastern part of the archipelago should be enhanced. In support of this policy, the authority of West Nusa Tenggara decided to develop the southern part of Lombok.

After delivering a short message, President Yudohoyono will press the button of siren to mark the ground-breaking development of Mandalika Tourism Resort in Lombok.

On the occasion the president will be accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Economy Hatta Rajasa, Tourism and Creative Economic Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, West Nusa Tenggara Governor Zainul Majdi, and PT Bali Tourism Development Corporation President Director Ida Bagus Wirajaya.

After dedicating the Mandalika Resort, President Yudhoyono and his entourage will leave for Bali to attend the 7th National Meeting of All Indonesia District Governments Association (APKASI) before returning to Jakarta on October 24, 2011. (*)