Provinces given the say-so in handling tourist ventures<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Hoteliers, restauraters and owners of tourist
\nventures planning to open businesses in the country will soon be
\nable to bypass the Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture and deal
\ndirectly with provincial tourist offices, a ministry official has
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Director General of Tourism I Gede Ardika said on Tuesday the
\nprovincial offices would be authorized to issue operating
\nlicenses for tourist-related firms and working permits for
\nforeigners employed by hotel, restaurant and tourist businesses
\nin provinces.<\/p>\n
\"The provincial tourist office will also have the authority to
\nasses hotel performances and issue hotel star ratings,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The policy shift is stipulated in the newly approved Regional
\nAutonomy Law 22\/1999, which gives local administrations not only
\nmore of a say, but also more authority in handling local
\nresources.<\/p>\n
Under the current regulation, authority over the tourist
\nsector is held by the Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture.<\/p>\n
Yanti Sukamdani Hardjoprakoso, president of Sahid Hotels and
\nchairwoman of the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Association
\nof Hotels & Restaurants, said the increase in authority for
\nprovincial tourist offices would reduce red tape requirements.<\/p>\n
\"We don't have to deal with overlapping and unnecessary
\nprocedures and documents. Less bureaucratic procedures will
\nattract more investors to do business here,\" she said.<\/p>\n
She said tourist entrepreneurs and investors also welcomed a
\nrecent government policy to pass on the authority to approve
\ninvestments from the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) to
\nprovincial investment offices (BKPMD).<\/p>\n
\"The combination of direct handling of business and investment
\nlicensing by regional (tourist and investment) offices will be
\nvery good for business.\"<\/p>\n
BKPMD will soon obtain full authority to approve all foreign
\nand local investments made in their respective areas. A
\npresidential decree will be issued soon to ratify the handover of
\nauthority from BKPM to the BKPMD.<\/p>\n
BKPMDs are currently only allowed to approve domestic
\ninvestment projects valued below Rp 10 billion.<\/p>\n
Investment projects valued at over Rp 10 billion, and foreign
\ndirect investment valued below US$100 million must be approved by
\nBKPM, while foreign investment valued at over $100 million
\nrequires direct approval from the President. (cst)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/provinces-given-the-say-so-in-handling-tourist-ventures-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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