E-Mart, Korea s leading discount store chain, said Friday it will make inroads into Laos later this year as it seeks to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asian markets.
Welcome to Indonesia’s ‘new Bali’ – site of alleged human rights abuses Kuta in Lombok, where a UN report says villagers were evicted to build a motorcycle racing circuit as part of a “new Bali” tourism development. Photo: Shutterstock
Think of Bali and a motorcycle grand prix probably isn t the first thing that springs to mind. But a circuit for such races is under construction in Mandalika, a coastal resort area on the neighbouring island of Lombok, one of 10 new Balis designated by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
Designed to replicate the international appeal and associated financial success - at least before Covid-19 exposed the weaknesses of a visitor-dependent economy - of Indonesia s biggest tourism brand, the focus of the new Balis project has been narrowed to five destinations, at a cost of 4.01 trillion rupiah this year alone, The Jakarta Post reports. Mandalika is among the super priority locations - selected based on their accessibility, their vi