Makassar Mayor Outlines Indicators as City with Best Economic Growth
Makassar Mayor Munafri Arifuddin has outlined a number of factors that make Makassar one of the regions with the best economic growth and investment in Indonesia. The presentation was delivered during an interview with Fortune Indonesia magazine for a special edition on the Best Place to Invest. The interview was conducted online on Monday, 22 June 2026, with Heri representing Fortune Indonesia.
During the session, Munafri, familiarly known as Appi, explained various strategic advantages possessed by Makassar. He asserted that the city’s geographical position as a centre for trade and services in the Eastern Indonesia region is the main factor driving economic growth. This strategic location makes Makassar a crucial node in the distribution of goods and services to the eastern part of Indonesia. According to him, nearly all logistics and trade activities heading to the Eastern Indonesia region are linked to Makassar. This reinforces the city’s role as the primary gateway for business activity in the area.
“Makassar is the trade hub for Eastern Indonesia. This position makes the city a centre for business, logistics, and investment activities aiming to reach the eastern region of Indonesia,” said Appi.
Beyond geographical factors, Munafri also presented the city’s economic growth achievements, which continue to show a positive trend. In the first quarter of 2026, economic growth was recorded at 6.61 percent, an increase compared to the previous period’s figure of 5.39 percent. He explained that this growth was driven by several important factors, including Makassar’s strong role as a logistics hub, high levels of investor confidence, and the successful transformation of the economy towards a more digital system.
Moreover, Makassar’s diverse economic structure is also a key strength. With a heterogeneous sector composition, the city’s economy remains stable even if a slowdown occurs in one sector. “When one sector weakens, other sectors keep moving. This ensures the stability of Makassar’s economic growth is maintained,” he explained.
Munafri also emphasised the importance of human resource quality in supporting economic growth. According to him, increasing human resource capacity is key to ensuring the local community can enjoy the benefits of incoming investment. He also reaffirmed the Makassar City Government’s commitment to maintaining a conducive investment climate. Regulatory certainty, bureaucratic transparency, and security stability are top priorities for attracting investor interest.
“Investors are not only looking for profit, but also need regulatory certainty, transparent bureaucracy, and a safe and stable regional environment,” he stressed.
Furthermore, Munafri revealed that Makassar’s investment realisation in the first quarter of 2026 reached IDR 1.23 trillion, or approximately 22.81 percent of total investment in South Sulawesi. This figure reflects the high level of business confidence in Makassar’s economic conditions. Nevertheless, he stressed that incoming investment must have a real impact on the community. The city government continues to push for every investment to create jobs, empower local communities, and open opportunities for MSMEs.
“Our target is not just to increase investment value, but to ensure a multiplier effect that is directly felt by the community. Economic growth must benefit all residents of Makassar,” concluded Munafri.