UAE pledges US$5 million for Komodo tourism development

Labuan Bajo — The United Arab Emirates has pledged US$5 million for tourism development around Komodo in East Nusa Tenggara, according to Indonesian and Chinese-language local reports that describe the money as aimed at strengthening Komodo conservation and visitor presentation.

The announcement was made during a visit by UAE Ambassador Abdulla Salem AlDhaheri and embassy officials to the East Nusa Tenggara governor’s office in Kupang, where they met provincial officials including deputy governor Johni Asadoma, the reports said.

Both reports say the UAE funding is intended for tourism development on Komodo Island, with conservation language attached to the plan. One report says the money would support preservation of the Komodo habitat and the surrounding tourism area through the relevant ministry, while another says the project is meant to present the Komodo ecosystem better to visitors.

The reports do not say whether the US$5 million is a grant, loan or investment, and they do not describe a signed agreement, timetable or disbursement plan. They also do not identify the Indonesian agency that would formally administer the money.

Possible partners

One local report says AlDhaheri mentioned Nusa Cendana University as a potential participant in developing the Komodo ecosystem. The same report says the embassy delegation was exploring tourism investment opportunities in Labuan Bajo and Komodo Island.

Asadoma also raised wider areas for possible UAE support, including stunting reduction, fisheries, health and infrastructure, but the reports present those as separate requests rather than approved commitments.

The reports place the discussion in the context of broader Indonesia-UAE ties and say the two sides have been expanding cooperation beyond traditional sectors into tourism, education, health and food security.

What was said

“The money is intended to support conservation of the Komodo and development of tourism destinations around it,” one local report paraphrased AlDhaheri as saying.

The reports do not mention any environmental impact assessment, visitor-capacity rule, waste plan or community consultation tied to the proposed funding. They also do not say whether the project has moved beyond exploratory discussions.

If implemented, the proposal would add to the growing focus on Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park as Indonesia courts foreign investment for tourism while balancing conservation pressure on the island chain.

Sources

• INBISNIS.ID
• Viva NTT