The island of Lombok, next door neighbour to Bali is developed to become the country’s center for the production of the best of South Sea Pearls. Over 36 international buyers from across the world will attend the Lombok Sumbawa Pearl Festival to be held at the Grand Legi Hotel in Mataram from 8 – 11 July. On this occasion, the best pearls from West Nusatenggara islands, Maluku, Ternate and Papua will be auctioned, said Sapta Nirwandar, Director General for Tourism Marketing.

The southern seas of Lombok by the Indian Ocean produce the best cultured pearls, claimed West Nusatenggara Governor, Zainul, of which the South Sea Pearls they produce are the best pearls in the world. They are large and have a bright shine.

The Festival is organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism together with the Office of Culture and Tourism of the Province of West Nusatenggara.

Lombok is gearing up to host the “Visit Lombok Year 2012” when the island’s new international airport is expected to be operational . Lombok’s Gili Terawangan has also recently been included among Asia’s Ten Best Beaches in the 2011 Travelers’Choice held by TripAdvisor.