Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi Courts Singaporean Investors for New Industrial Estates
Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi is aggressively offering the potential for new industrial estates and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to boost investment in the region. The initiative was discussed during a strategic meeting with Singaporean investors, including Sembcorp Industries Chief Operating Officer Gareth Wong, in Semarang on Tuesday, 21 July 2026.
Kepala Dinas Penanaman Modal dan Pelayanan Terpadu Satu Pintu (DPMPTSP) Jawa Tengah, Sakina Rosellasari, stated that the meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation between the provincial government and the Singapore-based company. Discussions focused on opportunities for new industrial estates, building on Sembcorp’s existing role as the developer of the Kendal SEZ. “Sembcorp Industries is the developer of the Kendal SEZ. With its smooth operation, we hope they will build another industrial estate in Central Java. The Governor has welcomed this and offered potential new sites,” Sakina said.
She added that the provincial government is currently identifying regencies and cities that meet the requirements for new industrial estates, with a minimum land area of 50 hectares. Studies and investment-ready projects are being prepared to attract investors. The presence of industrial estates is seen as a key magnet for investment, following the success of the Kendal SEZ, which has recorded accumulated investments of Rp187.05 trillion and created nearly 118,000 jobs as of the end of 2025.
Sembcorp Industries COO Gareth Wong confirmed the company’s interest in expanding its footprint in Central Java. “We want to create an axis between Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia. Central Java is very attractive to be part of that,” Wong said, noting the company already operates 26 industrial parks. He praised the provincial government’s expansion strategy as a positive move for future economic growth. The meeting was a follow-up to initial talks held in August 2025 regarding the ongoing expansion of the Kendal SEZ.