Indonesia's special economic zones attract Rp46 trillion through Q3

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s special economic zones (SEZs) attracted Rp46 trillion (approximately US$2.56 billion) in investment from January to September 2026, generating 53,190 jobs, according to government data released on Wednesday.

The investment figure represents approximately 67 percent of the government’s full-year target of Rp69.1 trillion (US$3.84 billion).

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said the zones remained strategic instruments for accelerating national economic growth toward the government’s target of 8 percent.

“SEZs are strategic instruments for driving national economic growth toward 8 percent through investment, job creation, and increased regional productivity,” Airlangga said in a statement.

Cumulative investment across the zones reached Rp382.1 trillion (approximately US$21.23 billion) as of September 30, 2026, generating a total of 302,262 jobs.

At the national level, investment during the first two years of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, from the fourth quarter of 2024 to the third quarter of 2026, reached Rp3,932 trillion (approximately US$218.44 billion), creating around 5.4 million jobs.

Airlangga said the zones had considerable potential for further growth by strengthening key sectors, improving service quality, and expanding business capacity across industries, including healthcare, tourism, manufacturing, digital technology, and human resources.

In the healthcare sector, the government expects specialized zones to help reduce foreign exchange outflows by enabling Indonesians to access world-class medical services at home. Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono said the development of healthcare zones would also attract investment in medical devices and pharmaceuticals while facilitating knowledge transfer between foreign and Indonesian medical professionals.

Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate in developing six designated tourism zones. The proposed efforts include improving workforce skills, hosting events, and promoting wellness and marine tourism.

In the industrial sector, Deputy Industry Minister Faisol Riza stressed the importance of improving service quality and infrastructure standards so that SEZs could serve as benchmarks for other industrial areas.

Manpower Minister Yassierli emphasized that regional development should be supported by a skilled and prepared workforce. He said the zones could become talent hubs that connect industry needs with vocational training and internship programs.

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Translator: Bayu Saputra, Yashinta Difa
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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