JAKARTA — West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is recalibrating its economic compass, steering away from a purely sun-and-surf tourism model toward a high-tech, high-value creative economy. In a strategic briefing on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, the Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, greenlit a triumvirate of ambitious proposals presented by Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal.
The partnership aims to capitalize on the burgeoning appeal of Mandalika by establishing a fortress of Intellectual Property (IP), world-class digital vocational training, and green digital infrastructure.
Professionalizing the Spectacle
Minister Riefky underscored the necessity of standardization for NTB’s burgeoning “event” industry. To foster the birth of new indigenous IP events—ranging from music festivals to international trade fairs—the Ministry will collaborate with the Indonesia Event Industry Council (IVENDO).
The objective is surgical: to certify and professionalize local Event Organizers (EOs). By arming local talent with national and international credentials, NTB seeks to end its reliance on imported expertise, ensuring that the economic dividends of its mega-events remain firmly within the provincial treasury.
”School 42″ and the Mandalika Data Cloud
Perhaps the most progressive gambit discussed was the plan to establish School 42, a globally renowned, tuition-free international programming school. This vocational vanguard is designed to churn out a “digital elite” in coding and multimedia, tailored to satisfy the voracious appetite of the global creative subsectors.
Furthermore, the Governor unveiled plans for a Solar-Powered Data Center in Mandalika. This initiative is envisioned as a “green magnet” for the growing legion of digital nomads and gig economy specialists. Minister Riefky noted that such infrastructure is the backbone of the digital ecosystem, aligning with national directives to position Indonesia as a premier destination for the global mobile workforce.
The Bottom Line: The Rise of the “Super Hub”
Governor Iqbal’s vision of a Super Hub—an integrated tourism, energy, and creative engine spanning Bali, NTB, and NTT—is rapidly gaining institutional momentum. By weaving together renewable energy and digital savvy, NTB is no longer merely chasing arrival statistics; it is building a resilient, tech-driven infrastructure. The challenge now lies in ensuring that the digital and physical connectivity between these islands matures at the same pace as their lofty ambitions.
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