Invest in Lombok: Where Is UAE Capital Flowing?

Thursday, 21 May 2026

When people talk about foreign investment in Indonesia, names like Jakarta, Bali, or even the new capital Nusantara often steal the spotlight. But if you look a little closer, there’s another island quietly attracting attention from global investors, Lombok. And interestingly, some of that interest has come from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a country known for putting money into tourism, infrastructure, and long-term strategic projects around the world.

So, where is UAE capital flowing in Indonesia? The answer is spread across several sectors, from ports and energy to tourism and infrastructure. Over the years, the UAE has strengthened its economic relationship with Indonesia through trade deals, sovereign investment commitments, and multi-billion-dollar agreements aimed at boosting growth in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.

In fact, UAE-Indonesia cooperation has become increasingly serious, especially after the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and major investment pledges worth billions of dollars.

But here’s where Lombok enters the story. Lombok has long been on the radar of UAE-linked investors because of one simple reason: tourism potential. Years ago, Dubai-based developer Emaar announced a major tourism project in Lombok worth around $600 million, showing that the island was already seen as a destination with strong investment appeal.

The project focused on turning Lombok into a world-class tourism and residential area, supported by infrastructure development such as roads, water systems, and airport improvements.

That interest fits a larger pattern. UAE investment in Indonesia has often focused on sectors that combine infrastructure and tourism, which is exactly where Lombok shines.

With areas like Mandalika growing into international tourism zones, complete with luxury resorts, sports tourism, and global events such as MotoGP—Lombok offers the kind of long-term tourism ecosystem investors love. It’s not just about building hotels; it’s about creating destinations with economic value.

More recently, UAE investors have continued expanding their tourism footprint in Indonesia. In 2024, UAE-based Eagle Hills signed a $3 billion tourism-related agreement covering hotels, tourism destinations, and infrastructure projects in Indonesia.

While the deal was broader than Lombok alone, it highlighted one important fact: the UAE still sees Indonesian tourism as a sector worth betting on. And islands like Lombok remain attractive because they combine natural beauty, infrastructure growth, and rising international exposure.

So, is UAE capital flowing to Lombok? In some ways, yes, and more importantly, Lombok sits in a sector that matches the UAE’s investment style: tourism-driven development with long-term potential.

From early resort projects to Indonesia-wide tourism partnerships, Lombok has repeatedly appeared in conversations about strategic investment.

For Lombok, this is more than just foreign money coming in. It’s a signal that the island is increasingly seen not only as a vacation destination, but as a place where global investors believe the future can be built.