BKPM Confident Samota SEZ in NTB Will Become a New Investment Magnet
The Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM is confident that the proposed Samota Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), can become a new investment magnet, particularly for the tourism and blue economy sectors. Deputy Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Deputy Head of BKPM Todotua Pasaribu stated that the development of the Samota SEZ must be supported by a ready investment ecosystem, including land certainty, infrastructure, and the presence of investors ready to realise their investments.
Pasaribu explained that the proposal for the Samota SEZ should be placed in a broader context. The area must serve as an instrument to optimise regional advantages while supporting the national investment policy direction, which focuses on productive sectors such as tourism, the blue economy, the green economy, the creative industry, agro-maritime, and the strengthening of connectivity and logistics.
He noted that investment is one of the main drivers of national economic growth. The government is targeting total investment realisation of Rp13,032.8 trillion for the 2025–2029 period to support Indonesia’s economic growth target of 8 percent by 2029. In the first half of 2026, national investment realisation reached Rp1,040.6 trillion, or 49.5 percent of the annual target, with distribution increasingly spreading outside Java.
Pasaribu highlighted that NTB Province holds an increasingly strategic position on the national investment map. Sumbawa Regency, in particular, has strong capital to develop as a new investment area, being located near the Indonesian Archipelagic Sea Lane (ALKI) II, making it a strategic regional logistics and distribution hub connecting western and eastern Indonesia. The area also has potential for premium tourism, the blue economy, and downstream fisheries and agro-maritime industries.
He stressed that granting SEZ status is not the end goal. The most important factor is ensuring the area is economically and financially viable, has land certainty, a clear business plan, adequate infrastructure, and investors ready to commit.