BRIDA: Competitiveness of districts/cities in Central Java on average exceeds national level
Semarang (ANTARA) - The Central Java Provincial Regional Research and Innovation Agency (BRIDA) states that the results of the 2025 Regional Competitiveness Index (IDSD) measurement released by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) show that several districts and cities in the province rank among Indonesia’s most advanced regions.
Head of the Central Java Regional Research and Innovation Agency (BRIDA), Mohamad Arief Irwanto, in a written statement in Semarang on Monday, revealed that this achievement indicates Central Java’s competitiveness is far above the national average. Nationally, the competitiveness index is recorded at 3.50, while Central Java has reached 3.87.
Several regions have recorded outstanding performances. Surakarta City is the highest with a score of 4.43, followed by Semarang City at 4.37, and Magelang City at 4.29. This achievement places these areas in the category of Indonesia’s most advanced cities.
Not only cities, but several districts also show high competitiveness. Semarang Regency scores 4.03, Klaten Regency 3.86, and Karanganyar Regency and Jepara Regency each 3.85.
Arief explained that the IDSD measurement is conducted through 12 main pillars, covering aspects such as institutions, infrastructure, adoption of information and communication technology (ICT), and macroeconomic stability. In addition, other indicators measured include health, workforce skills, product markets, labour markets, financial systems, market size, business dynamism, and innovation capability.
According to him, Central Java’s main strengths lie in the market and labour sectors. High labour absorption and low unemployment rates are key factors driving regional competitiveness.
“Labour absorption in Central Java is quite high, thus impacting economic stability and people’s purchasing power,” he explained.
Compared to other regions in Java-Bali, Central Java also excels in supporting environment components and innovation ecosystems. Additionally, strengths in institutional pillars, market size, and innovation capability further reinforce the province’s position.
The development of industrial zones in various regions has also become a significant driving factor. In addition to opening new job opportunities, the expansion of industrial zones broadens market access and drives local economic growth.
According to Arief, under the leadership of Governor Ahmad Luthfi and Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen, the acceleration of Central Java’s economic development is deemed increasingly focused and directly impacts the enhancement of regional competitiveness.
With this achievement, Central Java is assessed to still have great opportunities to continue developing and strengthening its position as one of the provinces with the best competitiveness in Indonesia.