Investment in 25 Special Economic Zones Reaches Rp82.6 Trillion in 2025, Absorbs 88,000 Workers

Jakarta — The Acting Secretary General of the National Council for Special Economic Zones (KEK) Rizal Edwin Manansang reported that investment realisation across 25 KEK throughout 2025 reached Rp82.6 trillion, equivalent to approximately 98 per cent of the target set. Labour absorption in these zones was recorded at 88,541 persons.

“This achievement demonstrates that KEK continues to develop as an important instrument in driving investment and creating employment opportunities across various regions,” Rizal Edwin stated in his remarks in Jakarta on Sunday, 26 March 2026.

Cumulatively through 2025, investment realisation in KEK reached Rp336 trillion with total labour absorption of approximately 249,000 persons. A study conducted by Prospera and the Institute for Economic and Social Research (LPEM) at the University of Indonesia revealed that regions with KEK designation attract investment up to 77 per cent higher compared to non-KEK areas. Labour absorption was recorded at 52 per cent higher, whilst in industrial KEK, foreign direct investment (FDI) can reach approximately 179 per cent higher.

Executive Director of Kendal Industrial Park Juliani Kusumaningrum, representing KEK Kendal, reported that through 2025 the zone recorded cumulative investment of approximately Rp187.05 trillion with labour absorption of approximately 76,559 persons. Consistent with these developments, the growth rate of Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) in Kendal Regency in 2025 increased significantly to 8.84 per cent.

KEK Kendal also developed a link and match programme to strengthen connections between industry and educational and training institutions to support the availability of workers in line with industry needs.

Vice President for Corporate Planning and Strategic Delivery of KEK Sanur Ade Saputra explained that the zone has two main focus areas: the health sector and tourism. KEK Sanur is expected to enhance the competitiveness of domestic health services to rival overseas hospitals. Currently, four main factors drive Indonesian citizens to seek medical treatment abroad: diagnostic accuracy, doctor expertise, technology, and cost.

One major facility in the zone is Bali International Hospital, which offers flagship services including cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopaedics, and maternal and child health services. Additionally, other health facilities are available, including Alpha IVF & Women’s Specialist fertility centre, which collaborates with international fertility clinic networks.

Director of Marketing and Development of KEK Industropolis Batang Indri Septa Respati stated that the zone, officially inaugurated on Thursday, 20 March 2025, implements various community empowerment programmes based on four main frameworks: employment, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) economics and business, environment, and social matters. These programmes include sewing training for shoe operators, design and printing training, and English language training for prospective workers. From 2022 to 2025, the number of training participants in the zone exceeded 1,800 persons.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of PT Taman Resor Internet (Tamarin) Mike Wiluan stated that KEK Nongsa also develops digital talent through the Infinite Learning vocational training programme in collaboration with numerous global and national partners, including Apple Developer Academy, RMIT University, Red Hat, and IBM. Through the fourth quarter of 2025, the programme had been attended by more than 8,000 participants.

Infinite Studios in the zone also collaborates with 22 creative MSMEs in the production of international-scale animated films and has produced over 20 international films. The studio is currently working on 10 animation titles involving approximately 160 workers and support from three MSME studios on Java Island.

KEK Nongsa also expanded the zone by 21.59 hectares, bringing the total area to 188.04 hectares.

Furthermore, External Relations and Special Economic Zone Director of KEK Gresik Roro Ayu Yayuk Dwi Hastuti reported that the zone contributed to improving community welfare through corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes based on five pillars, including education, health, inclusive economy, and social infrastructure development.

This contribution is reflected in the increase in the Human Development Index (HDI) of Gresik Regency, which rose from 77.30 in 2021 to 79.69 in 2025. Additionally, the unemployment rate in the region was reduced from 8 per cent to 5.47 per cent over the past five years.

“This proves that KEK Gresik has become a centre of new industrial investment that supports downstream processing and national industrial supply chains, whilst creating employment,” she said.