Dompu regency turns to the sea for better future

Panca Nugraha, The Jakarta Post, Dompu-NTB

Dompu might be an unfamiliar name for many but its pristine Lakey beach has made it popular among local and foreign surfers wanting to ride the waves.

Located on the south of Sumbawa Island in West Nusa Tenggara, the beach has hosted many international surfing contests, from the Dompu Indonesia Open to the Dompu-USA Surfing.

The latest event was held in mid-August, with dozens of surfers from Australia, Belgium, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa and the U.S.

"Dompu is finally becoming known in the outside world due to Lakey beach," Dompu Regent Syaifurrahman Salman told The Jakarta Post.

"But Dompu does not only have Lakey beach, we also have a very promising marine resources, not only tourism. We will continue developing these resources."

Dompu regency is located in the center of Sumbawa Island, in between Sumbawa and Bima regencies.

With an area covering 2,324 square kilometers, Dompu regency has 1,298 square km of beaches and three bays -- Saleh and Sanggar bays in the north, and Cempi bay on the south.

Apart from fishing, Dompu regency, home to 206,126 people, also boasts seaweed and pearl farming potential.

The regency has the potential to grow seaweed on 1,298 hectares in six districts -- Woja, Manggalewa, Kempo, Pekat, Huru and Kilo. Only two districts -- Dompu and Pajo -- are not suitable for seaweed farming.

However, only 85 hectares in two districts, Manggalewa and Kempo, are currently growing seaweed.

"Dompu should be able to produce at least 12,000 tons of seaweed a year but currently, we are only able to produce 10-20 tons annually. The main problem is low investment. That is why we are trying to bring investors here," Syaifurrahman said.

He said that so far the regency administration has convinced a Japanese company to develop seaweed in Dompu. The administration and the company signed a cooperation agreement earlier this year.

He said that under the agreement, the company will set up a company to directly process the seaweed in Dompu. The factory is expected to employ Dompu residents.

"Apart from growing seaweed, the company will also set up a processing factory in Dompu. Seaweed is a really good ingredient to serve as a basic material in the cosmetic and food industry," he said.

Dompu regency administration is currently working hard to promote the cultured pearl industry.

The regency has the potential to develop cultured pearl on 1,967 hectares of land in 25 different locations. However, only 329 hectares in seven locations in Pekat district have been exploited by Jakarta-based company. The rest remain untouched.

"We're working to promote cultured pearl business potential to other provinces and even abroad. For investors wanting to invest in Dompu, we will welcome and assist them."