North Sulawesi Strengthens Growth Foundation through 2026 Economic Census

North Sulawesi possesses a strategic geographical position as Indonesia’s trade gateway in the Asia-Pacific region. Besides being rich in natural resources, the province also boasts natural beauty that attracts both domestic and international tourists. Bunaken National Park has long been known as a world-class tourism destination for its underwater beauty, while the Likupang Special Economic Zone for tourism has been a Super Priority Tourism Destination since 2019 and continues to develop into a new centre of economic growth through tourism, investment, and the creative economy. Amid global economic uncertainty, North Sulawesi’s economy continues to grow strongly, accompanied by a decline in poverty levels. The province is also the second-largest coconut producer in Indonesia and ranks eighth in national marine fisheries production. To maintain the economic growth trend while accelerating poverty reduction, complete, accurate, and up-to-date economic data is required. Through the 2026 Economic Census, the government will obtain a comprehensive picture of the condition and characteristics of businesses in North Sulawesi. This was conveyed by the Deputy Chief of Statistics Indonesia, Sonny Harry Budiutomo Harmadi, during the launch of the 2026 Economic Census in North Sulawesi on Tuesday. ‘The Governor will receive data providing a complete picture of the economy in North Sulawesi, from the sea to the land, all of it extraordinary. Looking at the data, North Sulawesi’s economic growth surpasses the national average, accompanied by a poverty rate that continues to decline, reaching 6.62 percent,’ Sonny stated. The launch took place at the North Sulawesi Governor’s Office, attended by Governor Yulius Selvanus, Deputy Governor Victor Mailangkay, members of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum, heads of vertical agencies, regional officials, leaders of state-owned and regionally-owned enterprises, representatives of business associations, and academics. According to Sonny, the census data will serve as a strong foundation for formulating various economic development policies, encouraging investment, strengthening MSMEs, developing economic zones, and ensuring the benefits of economic growth are felt evenly by all people of North Sulawesi. ‘An economic census is like undergoing a medical check-up. We might feel our body is healthy, or we might feel something is not right, and we can only find out the cause after an examination,’ he said. He also emphasised that the 2026 Economic Census is not a sudden agenda but a mandate of Law Number 16 of 1997 on Statistics, which stipulates that an economic census be conducted every ten years. In addition to recording companies and businesses, BPS will also record household economic activities door-to-door so that all community economic activities are fully depicted. Sonny invited all citizens, business actors, regional governments, academics, media, and all stakeholders to jointly make the 2026 Economic Census a success. ‘Let us together make the economic census a success with TIR. TIR stands for Welcome the 2026 Economic Census officers, Fill in the data correctly, and Data confidentiality is guaranteed,’ Sonny concluded. On the same occasion, North Sulawesi Governor Yulius Selvanus affirmed that the success of economic development cannot be separated from the availability of accurate and quality data. According to him, statistical data is the main foundation for formulating targeted policies, including encouraging investment, strengthening regional competitiveness, and improving community welfare. ‘I am confident that BPS, with its experience conducting the Population Census and Agricultural Census, will ensure this Economic Census also runs well, especially supported by a field team of more than two thousand personnel,’ Yulius said. As a symbol of the census launch in North Sulawesi, the Deputy Chief of BPS and the Governor jointly unsheathed a kabasaran sword, a traditional Minahasa weapon symbolising courage, unity, and commitment. The procession served as a strong symbol of the regional government’s full support for the successful implementation of the 2026 Economic Census. BPS is deploying 2,401 officers to record approximately 297,000 business units spread across 15 districts and cities in North Sulawesi Province.