Fatmawati Rusdi Opens IGS 2026 Business Forum, Showcases South Sulawesi Investment Potential to 28-Nation Delegation

Makassar - Delegates from 28 countries explored investment and trade opportunities in South Sulawesi during the Indonesia Gastrodiplomacy Series (IGS) 2026 Business Forum, opened by South Sulawesi Vice Governor Fatmawati Rusdi at Nusantara Hall, The Rinra Hotel, Makassar, on Wednesday, 24 June 2026. The forum served as a business matching arena, bringing together local business players with ambassadors, representatives of friendly nations, investors, and international entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in trade, investment, tourism, and creative economy development. Through this forum, various leading potentials of South Sulawesi were introduced to the global market to expand business networks and open mutually beneficial cooperation opportunities. Carrying the theme “Bringing Flavours, Cultures and Business Opportunities”, the Indonesia Gastrodiplomacy Series leverages Indonesia’s culinary richness as an entry point for economic diplomacy. This cultural and gastronomic approach not only strengthens relations between countries but also opens more concrete collaboration spaces in trade, investment, and regional potential promotion. A total of 28 countries participated in the event, involving ambassadors, heads of friendly country representatives and their spouses, consul generals, and members of the diplomatic corps specialising in economy, trade, investment, and socio-culture. The diplomatic gathering was attended by delegations from Japan, Nigeria, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Uruguay, Pakistan, Cambodia, Brazil, the Netherlands, Zimbabwe, Fiji, Peru, Malaysia, and Tunisia, as well as delegations from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Serbia, Finland, Venezuela, Ethiopia, Poland, Costa Rica, Rwanda, Lao PDR, Mexico, Solomon Islands, and Cuba. The international delegation was led by the Director General of Information and Public Diplomacy of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heru H. Subolo. In her remarks, Fatmawati Rusdi stated that South Sulawesi holds a strategic position as one of the economic growth centres in Eastern Indonesia. Various leading sectors, from agriculture, fisheries, and industry to tourism and the creative economy, are considered to have great prospects for development through global partnerships. With the support of international ports, industrial estates, agricultural and fishery production centres, and connectivity linking various regions in Eastern Indonesia, South Sulawesi is one of the main nodes of national economic activity in the eastern region. This condition serves as important capital in attracting investment while expanding market access for the region’s leading products. “Through the Indonesia Gastrodiplomacy Series, we hope more collaborations will emerge that can bring investment, create jobs, and improve the welfare of the people of South Sulawesi,” said Fatmawati. She affirmed that the South Sulawesi Provincial Government remains committed to creating a conducive investment climate by strengthening synergy with the central government, district and city governments, business players, and international partners. According to Fatmawati, relationships built through forums like this are expected to develop into investments and partnerships that deliver real impact for regional development, increased economic competitiveness, and public welfare. Meanwhile, Makassar Mayor Munafri Arifuddin outlined the various advantages of Makassar City as the gateway to Eastern Indonesia. He stated that Makassar has a strategic position as a logistics, trade, and investment hub, supported by Makassar New Port, Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport, and connectivity via the ALKI II international shipping lane. He noted that Makassar’s economic growth reached 6.61 percent with a controlled inflation rate of 2.69 percent. Throughout 2025, investment realisation reached Rp5.2 trillion, with approximately Rp1.13 trillion originating from foreign direct investment. During the forum, the Makassar City Government offered several strategic projects to potential investors, including the development of the Untia Sport Tourism Hub, Lanjukang Island Ecotourism, industrial estate development, and leading export commodities such as fishery products, seaweed, coffee, coconut, honey, and ginger. Director General of Information and Public Diplomacy Heru H. Subolo appreciated the collaboration between the South Sulawesi Provincial Government and the Makassar City Government in organising the Indonesia Gastrodiplomacy Series 2026. He stated that diplomacy must not stop at state-to-state relations alone but must produce tangible benefits through sustainable cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, creative industries, agriculture, and fisheries. He also encouraged ambassadors and representatives of friendly nations to make the forum a starting point for strengthening relations with South Sulawesi. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said, is ready to facilitate the follow-up of various cooperation opportunities through its network of 131 Indonesian representatives abroad. The IGS 2026 Business Forum is expected to become an entry point for more concrete collaborations between local business players and international partners, whether in the form of investment, trade, tourism promotion, or creative economy development. The South Sulawesi Provincial Government considers the forum’s success not only measured by the breadth of international networks established but also by the realisation of investment opportunities, job creation, increased added value of regional leading products, and economic benefits that can be directly felt by the community.