Foreign Investors Flock to Indonesia, Evidence Clear in Gresik
Investment realisation in Indonesia is reportedly increasing, including foreign direct investment (PMA) within Special Economic Zones (SEZ). According to an official statement from the Secretary-General of the National SEZ Council, several SEZs have submitted plans for area expansion, one of which is the Gresik SEZ.
The government continues to oversee the expansion plans for the Gresik SEZ to accommodate high investment interest and to support the development of an integrated industrial and port ecosystem.
These efforts were discussed during a Coordination Meeting for the Discussion of PKKPR (Approval of Spatial Planning Suitability) for the Gresik SEZ Expansion Plan, held at the BUPP KEK Gresik (JIIPE) office in Gresik on Friday (12/06).
The meeting was led by the Deputy Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, acting as the Secretary of the National SEZ Council, Susiwijono Moegiarso. Attendees included representatives from the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM, the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), the National SEZ Council Secretariat, the East Java Provincial Government, the Gresik SEZ Administrator, and PT Berkah Kawasan Manyar Sejahtera (BKMS) as the Developer and Manager of the Gresik SEZ.
The agenda focused on spatial use suitability and the fulfilment of technical requirements as part of the expansion application process. Through these discussions, it is hoped that the licensing and approval process for the Gresik SEZ expansion can run optimally to support increased investment, job creation, and national and regional economic growth (GDP and GRDP).
Since being established through Government Regulation Number 71 of 2021, the Gresik SEZ has rapidly developed into a new economic growth centre in East Java. As of the first quarter of 2026, the area recorded cumulative investments of Rp113.4 trillion, with post-SEZ designation investment reaching Rp100.2 trillion—a surge of more than 1,900% compared to the period before its designation. In terms of employment, the Gresik SEZ has absorbed 45,860 workers, with over 44,000 jobs created after the SEZ status was granted.
Given the positive performance and impact, the expansion of the Gresik SEZ is a strategic step to accommodate high investment interest, strengthen the integrated industrial and port ecosystem, and encourage green energy development to enhance the region’s long-term competitiveness.
Prasetyo Wiranto, Director of Spatial Utilisation Synchronisation at the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency, presented various aspects of spatial suitability for the proposed expansion area and several alternative mechanisms for fulfilling PKKPR requirements in accordance with applicable regulations. The results of the discussion will be followed up through cross-ministerial and inter-agency coordination to obtain the most effective and regulatory-compliant mechanism to accelerate the expansion process.
In his remarks, Susiwijono emphasised that the government fully supports the expansion plans for the Gresik SEZ due to the high level of investment interest and the increasing need for regional development.