Foreign Investors Queue to Enter Indonesia, Three SEZs Request Land Expansion

The Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs has stated that foreign investor interest in Indonesia’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) is so high that three major manufacturing zones are requesting land expansions. “The expansion of incoming investment is very large,” said Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Susiwijono Moegiarso, during a press briefing in Jakarta on Monday (6/7/2026).

Susiwijono revealed that the three SEZs—Gresik, Kendal, and Galang Batang in Bintan—have applied for area expansion because their existing land is fully occupied. “Investors are queuing up. The Gresik SEK has requested an expansion, as have Kendal and Galang Batang in Bintan,” he explained.

He noted that the potential additional investment from the expansion of these three zones alone could reach IDR 557 trillion. “Just this morning I discussed with colleagues that the potential for additional foreign investment entering just these three SEZs is around IDR 557 trillion. That is the ultimate figure, not immediate,” Susiwijono said.

He detailed that the Gresik SEZ is requesting an additional 1,200 hectares, Kendal is seeking an extra 1,000 hectares, and Galang Batang in Bintan is asking for a further 2,600 hectares. This demand, he argued, demonstrates strong foreign investor confidence in Indonesia.

“If asked whether foreign investors still trust Indonesia to bring in investment, the fact is these three SEZs are asking for land expansion, nearly doubling their size,” he added.

Susiwijono also noted that development in SEZs outside Java is progressing rapidly. He cited the Galang Batang SEZ in Bintan and the Sei Mangkei SEZ in North Sumatra as examples. “The Sei Mangkei SEZ has seen a very large investment from Unilever Global. Next month, they will break ground on a new programme there,” he said.

Meanwhile, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, during a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace, highlighted plans to expand the Kendal Industrial Park, a joint SEZ between Sembcorp and Jababeka. Wong stated the park has reached full capacity and the expansion will create new jobs and support Indonesia’s economic development.