Government prepares Bali as international financial centre

The government is preparing Bali as an international financial centre or International Financial Centre (IFC). Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto stated that the development of the Kura Kura Bali Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is being accelerated as one of the potential locations for developing a financial sector SEZ in Bali. “So what can the Kura Kura Bali (SEZ) offer for the IFC location? It should be discussed directly with Danantara,” Airlangga said in his statement in Jakarta on Monday. The government is currently refining regulations as the foundation for establishing a financial sector SEZ in Bali. This SEZ is designed to accommodate various needs for establishing a financial centre, from management schemes to providing facilities capable of attracting global investors. The area is designed to build an integrated innovation ecosystem by optimising knowledge capital, education, and human resources as drivers of new economic growth in Bali. The Kura Kura Bali SEZ is also preparing a supporting ecosystem for the operations of an international financial centre through a Business Hub designed as a meeting point for the Global Blended Finance Alliance (GBFA) programme, business school, and flagship investment pathways in Indonesia. In addition, the Knowledge District will be strengthened with an Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre serving as a hub for quality education, such as the ACS Bali intercultural school, as well as coastal environmental research development through the International Mangrove Research Centre (IMRC). By the first quarter of 2026, the SEZ has recorded realised investments of Rp1.62 trillion with labour absorption reaching 2,146 people. Meanwhile, regarding the Sanur SEZ, Airlangga mentioned that its development is focused on strengthening the health tourism ecosystem to solidify Indonesia’s position as a world-class healthcare destination. One of the flagship facilities is the Bali International Hospital (BIH), which has been operational since April 2025 and provides various specialist services. On the same occasion, The Solitaire Clinic in the Sanur SEZ is scheduled to begin operations in 2026, offering services in cosmetic surgery, medical aesthetics, body contouring, hair transplants, and anti-ageing stem cell therapy. Cumulatively by the first quarter of 2026, the Sanur SEZ has recorded realised investments of Rp5.37 trillion, with labour absorption reaching 5,444 people and 279,804 tourist visits. These achievements affirm the strategic role of the Kura Kura Bali SEZ and Sanur SEZ in driving investments, creating jobs, and strengthening national economic transformation through the development of high-value-added sectors.