Mentawai Islands. Mentawai Islands regency in West Sumatra is set to develop a 5,000-hectare integrated tourism destination under a new partnership with national business group Riyadh Group Indonesia (RGI).

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in Jakarta on Aug. 10 by Mentawai Regent Rinto Wardana and RGI President Director Bally Saputra Datuk Janosati.

RGI will serve as the master developer, overseeing investment, development and marketing for the large-scale tourism area, which is planned as a luxury eco-resort combining tourism, commercial facilities and supporting infrastructure.

The project is expected to attract investors from Europe, the Middle East, China, South Korea, Japan and Indonesia.

Plans include renewable energy facilities such as solar and wind power plants, clean water systems, a data center and digital infrastructure. The development will also include transportation infrastructure, including a port, fiber boats and an airport, as well as fisheries and marine aquaculture facilities.

“We want to develop this tourism destination and its supporting infrastructure into a globally competitive National Strategic Project or Special Economic Zone,” Rinto said in a statement.

The project is also intended to adopt an integrated, environmentally friendly development model, with technology including Economic Intelligence and artificial intelligence used to improve efficiency and sustainability.

Focus on Surfing and Local Communities
Mentawai is internationally known for its world-class surfing spots, and the local government wants surfing to become a major driver of tourism growth in the region.

Rinto said the government will prioritize local workers as the project develops based on the needs of investors. He also stressed the importance of strengthening education and training programs to prepare local talent for jobs in the tourism sector in the islands, which are renowned as one of the world’s best surfing destinations.

RGI said the project would also incorporate local economic development and social empowerment, while its eco-resort concept would include a food-production system designed to help meet the destination’s own logistical needs.

RGI will also assist investors in obtaining all the necessary permits for development within the tourism destination and its supporting facilities.

The company plans to acquire, lease, or partner with landowners across the approximately 5,000-hectare development area and has prepared a master plan covering both land and marine areas.

Promoting Mentawai as a Global Surfing Destination
Beyond the resort development, RGI plans to promote a sister city partnership connecting Mentawai with Miami and Hawaii, with the goal of strengthening its position as an international surfing and tourism hub.

Rinto has promoted the region under the tourism branding “Surf and Soul,” combining its surfing attractions with Mentawai’s unique indigenous culture, including the Sikerei traditional ritual.

“Besides having some of the best and most challenging waves, we also have a unique culture called Sikerei,” Rinto said.
 

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