“The government has made SEZs a core policy tool to support economic growth and reduce regional disparities, ensuring continuity across political administrations, said Susiwijono Moegiarso, chairman of the council’s executive team.”
“Political and economic stability, a domestic market of around 280 million people, Indonesia’s strategic location, persistent trade surpluses, a rising stock market, and steady economic growth have created what he described as a healthy environment for SEZ development.”
“Several Indonesian SEZs have already emerged as sector leaders, both regionally and globally. Susiwijono cited the Gresik SEZ in East Java, which hosts the world’s largest single-line copper smelter with an annual capacity of 17 million tons operated by Freeport Indonesia. Kendal SEZ, meanwhile, hosts what he described as the world’s largest lithium battery anode plant, backed by Chinese investment. Other zones have expanded into digital technology, information and communications technology, and healthcare.”
“Indonesia currently has 25 SEZs stretching from Lhokseumawe in Aceh to Sorong in Southwest Papua, with the government considering six additional zones. Thirteen are industrial zones and 12 are services-based. As of the third quarter of 2025, 351 companies and investors had committed a combined Rp 314 trillion ($18.7 billion) in investment.”
“Between January and September 2025 alone, realized investment across all SEZs reached Rp 60.25 trillion ($3.6 billion), equivalent to 71% of the full-year target, and generated 79,189 jobs — well above the full-year target of 46,864 jobs, [secretary-general of the National SEZ Council] said.”