Bengkalis Regent Presents Regional Investment Potential in Audience with Investment Minister
JAKARTA — Bengkalis Regent Kasmarni conveyed aspirations regarding the potential of Bengkalis Regency to the Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Rosan Perkasa Roeslani.
The aspirations were presented during an audience with the Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Head of BKPM, together with Riau Governor Abdul Wahid and regents/mayors from across Riau Province, held at the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM in Jakarta on Monday, 5 May 2025.
The meeting was aimed at building closer communication between the central and regional governments, as well as discussing key agendas related to accelerating development, investment and the downstreaming of regional potential.
Kasmarni presented the aspirations and hopes of Bengkalis Regency, which is one of the strategic areas on the eastern coast of Sumatra. She emphasised the importance of building close synergy between the Ministry of Investment and the regional government.
"We from the Bengkalis Regency Government welcome this forum as a means of building direct and strategic communication with the Ministry of Investment. We are fully aware that accelerating regional economic growth will not be optimal without active involvement from investors. Therefore, we desire concrete and sustainable collaboration between the regions and the centre," said Kasmarni.
"We have extraordinary potential in the maritime and fisheries sector, renewable energy, agriculture, and Malay culture-based tourism. However, this potential will be meaningless without concrete steps in investment promotion and infrastructure strengthening. We hope the Ministry of Investment can help facilitate the entry of investors through more accommodating regulations and a comprehensive investment assistance system," she added.
Kasmarni also highlighted the importance of downstreaming in creating added value from local products. She noted that many natural products from Bengkalis have only been sold as raw materials without further processing.
"We are ready to transform into a region that is not only rich in natural resources but also capable of processing and managing that potential through the downstreaming sector. For this, support from the Ministry of Investment is greatly needed, both in terms of promotion, funding and industrial zone development," Kasmarni explained.
Kasmarni also affirmed that Bengkalis Regency is ready to welcome investment with an open spirit and bureaucratic ease. "We have the spirit to change and advance. We continue to improve, building a conducive business climate and of course opening ourselves to investment that aligns with the principles of sustainability and public welfare," she concluded.
Meanwhile, Riau Governor Abdul Wahid also raised various strategic issues and concrete proposals to the Investment Minister. One of the key issues highlighted was efforts to resolve road infrastructure problems frequently damaged by mining transport activities, particularly coal trucks. The Governor proposed the construction of a logistics railway as a long-term solution that would not only smooth distribution but also be environmentally friendly and support logistics cost efficiency.
In response, Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Head of BKPM Rosan Perkasa Roeslani expressed appreciation for the Riau Governor's initiative in bringing regional heads directly to engage in dialogue and present proposals in a structured manner. He stated that the central government strongly supports regions that are proactive in creating a welcoming and productive investment ecosystem.
"We welcome the input from the Riau Governor and the regents/mayors. Investment cannot work in only one direction. It requires cooperation between the central and regional governments. What Riau is doing now is a good example of how a collaborative approach can be built," he said.
Rosan Roeslani also affirmed that his office would follow up on the various proposals received, including infrastructure development, simplification of investment regulations, and enhancement of regional human resource capacity to prepare for technology-based and green industry investment.
The meeting is expected to result in follow-up actions including memoranda of understanding, technical assistance, and further visits from the Ministry of Investment to regions in Riau, including Bengkalis Regency, to pursue the concrete opportunities discussed.
The aspirations were presented during an audience with the Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Head of BKPM, together with Riau Governor Abdul Wahid and regents/mayors from across Riau Province, held at the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM in Jakarta on Monday, 5 May 2025.
The meeting was aimed at building closer communication between the central and regional governments, as well as discussing key agendas related to accelerating development, investment and the downstreaming of regional potential.
Kasmarni presented the aspirations and hopes of Bengkalis Regency, which is one of the strategic areas on the eastern coast of Sumatra. She emphasised the importance of building close synergy between the Ministry of Investment and the regional government.
"We from the Bengkalis Regency Government welcome this forum as a means of building direct and strategic communication with the Ministry of Investment. We are fully aware that accelerating regional economic growth will not be optimal without active involvement from investors. Therefore, we desire concrete and sustainable collaboration between the regions and the centre," said Kasmarni.
"We have extraordinary potential in the maritime and fisheries sector, renewable energy, agriculture, and Malay culture-based tourism. However, this potential will be meaningless without concrete steps in investment promotion and infrastructure strengthening. We hope the Ministry of Investment can help facilitate the entry of investors through more accommodating regulations and a comprehensive investment assistance system," she added.
Kasmarni also highlighted the importance of downstreaming in creating added value from local products. She noted that many natural products from Bengkalis have only been sold as raw materials without further processing.
"We are ready to transform into a region that is not only rich in natural resources but also capable of processing and managing that potential through the downstreaming sector. For this, support from the Ministry of Investment is greatly needed, both in terms of promotion, funding and industrial zone development," Kasmarni explained.
Kasmarni also affirmed that Bengkalis Regency is ready to welcome investment with an open spirit and bureaucratic ease. "We have the spirit to change and advance. We continue to improve, building a conducive business climate and of course opening ourselves to investment that aligns with the principles of sustainability and public welfare," she concluded.
Meanwhile, Riau Governor Abdul Wahid also raised various strategic issues and concrete proposals to the Investment Minister. One of the key issues highlighted was efforts to resolve road infrastructure problems frequently damaged by mining transport activities, particularly coal trucks. The Governor proposed the construction of a logistics railway as a long-term solution that would not only smooth distribution but also be environmentally friendly and support logistics cost efficiency.
In response, Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Head of BKPM Rosan Perkasa Roeslani expressed appreciation for the Riau Governor's initiative in bringing regional heads directly to engage in dialogue and present proposals in a structured manner. He stated that the central government strongly supports regions that are proactive in creating a welcoming and productive investment ecosystem.
"We welcome the input from the Riau Governor and the regents/mayors. Investment cannot work in only one direction. It requires cooperation between the central and regional governments. What Riau is doing now is a good example of how a collaborative approach can be built," he said.
Rosan Roeslani also affirmed that his office would follow up on the various proposals received, including infrastructure development, simplification of investment regulations, and enhancement of regional human resource capacity to prepare for technology-based and green industry investment.
The meeting is expected to result in follow-up actions including memoranda of understanding, technical assistance, and further visits from the Ministry of Investment to regions in Riau, including Bengkalis Regency, to pursue the concrete opportunities discussed.