Central Java Investment Rated Highly Positive, Anindya Bakrie Praises Governor Ahmad Luthfi
SEMARANG – Chairman of PT VKTR, Anindya Bakrie, views the business climate in Central Java as highly positive and with potential for even greater growth. This is particularly due to the available land and competent human resources, as well as policy support from Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi.
Anindya expressed this while attending the Central Java Investment Business Forum (CJIBF) 2026, held at Hotel PO Semarang on Monday (11/5/2026). According to him, various interconnected factors, from workforce availability to expansive areas supporting investment, contribute to this.
These factors have solidified VKTR’s decision to establish an electric truck and bus assembly plant in Magelang Regency, which was inaugurated by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto some time ago.
“Very positive, as seen from the economic growth figure of 5.89 per cent, and it has potential for a larger scale in the future,” he stated.
Anindya sees the two special economic zones in Batang and Kendal as a special asset for Central Java. Moreover, there is potential from around 20 million productive workers, developed through various vocational schools.
Additionally, Anindya assesses Governor Ahmad Luthfi as actively communicating with businesspeople to address various investment obstacles.
“The relationship between the Governor and the local Kadin is excellent. This allows for clearing any potential blockages. Then there are attractive incentives; most importantly, the Governor is willing to advocate for facilitations at the national level,” said Anindya, who is also the General Chairman of Kadin Indonesia.
On the other hand, Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi views investment as the engine driving the economy. According to him, regional development is absolutely supported by capital investment.
The Governor explained that investments in Central Java are open to all sectors, from labour-intensive industries such as footwear and textiles to new renewable energy (NRE). He sees the green economy as part of the vision for a Progressive and Sustainable Central Java.
“In terms of investment, we provide tax incentives for renewable or green economy initiatives,” Luthfi stressed, while opening the CJIBF event.
Responding to questions about the electrification of Central Java Provincial Government’s transportation modes, Luthfi stated his readiness to realise it.
“In the future, we must expand Trans Jateng. So far, it has only covered Semarang, Demak, and Kendal; we will increase it. We just need to discuss with LLAJ for the use of electric vehicles,” he said.
It is known that the CJIBF is a collaboration between the Central Java Provincial Government and Bank Indonesia, now in its 10th edition. This year, 21 projects with a total investment value of Rp30 trillion are offered.
Notes from the Bank Indonesia Central Java Representative Office indicate that CJIBF and UMKM Gayeng 2025 recorded Letters of Intent for investments amounting to Rp75.03 trillion and trade transactions of Rp25.88 billion. Meanwhile, total UMKM Gayeng sales reached Rp647.8 million, and business matching transactions amounted to Rp544.6 million.