Riau Governor and Regional Heads Meet Investment Minister to Accelerate Regional Development
JAKARTA — Riau Province is recognised as a region with significant investment potential and abundant natural resources, presenting prime opportunities for investors. In an effort to unlock these investment opportunities, Riau Governor Abdul Wahid, accompanied by regents and mayors from across the province, held a direct meeting with Indonesia's Minister of Investment and Downstream Industries/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, at the Ministry of Investment and Downstream Industries/BKPM in Jakarta on Monday (5/5/2025).
The visit aimed to foster relations, build more intensive communication between the central and regional governments, and discuss a number of important agenda items related to accelerating development, investment, and downstream processing of regional potential.
In a warm yet productive dialogue, the Riau Governor conveyed various strategic issues and concrete proposals to the Investment Minister. One of the key issues highlighted was the resolution of road infrastructure problems frequently damaged by mining transport activities, particularly coal trucks. The Governor proposed the construction of a logistics railway as a long-term solution that would not only improve distribution but also be environmentally friendly and support logistics cost efficiency.
During the occasion, Bengkalis Regent Kasmarni conveyed aspirations and hopes from Bengkalis Regency, one of the strategic areas on the eastern coast of Sumatra.
"We from the Bengkalis Regency Government welcome this forum as a means of building direct and strategic communication with the Ministry of Investment. We fully recognise that accelerating regional economic growth will not be optimal without the active involvement of investors. Therefore, we desire concrete and sustainable collaboration between regional and central government," said Kasmarni.
"We have extraordinary potential across the maritime and fisheries sector, renewable energy, agriculture, and Malay culture-based tourism. However, this potential will be meaningless without concrete steps in investment promotion and infrastructure strengthening. We hope the Ministry of Investment can help facilitate investor entry with more accommodating regulations and a comprehensive investment support system," she added.
Kasmarni also highlighted the importance of downstream processing in creating added value from local products. She noted that many raw materials from Bengkalis have been sold in unprocessed form without further processing.
"We are ready to transform into a region that is not only rich in natural resources but also capable of processing and managing that potential through downstream industries. For this, support from the Ministry of Investment is greatly needed, both in terms of promotion, funding, and industrial zone development," Kasmarni explained.
The Bengkalis Regent also affirmed that the regency is ready to welcome investment with an open spirit and bureaucratic ease. "We have the spirit to change and advance. We continue to improve, build a conducive business climate, and of course open ourselves to investment aligned with the principles of sustainability and public welfare," she concluded.
Meanwhile, Investment Minister Rosan Perkasa Roeslani expressed appreciation for Governor Riau's initiative in bringing regional heads directly to engage in dialogue and present proposals in a structured manner. He stated that the central government strongly supports regions that are proactive in creating a welcoming and productive investment ecosystem.
"We welcome input from the Governor and the regents/mayors. Investment cannot operate in one direction alone. It requires cooperation between central and regional government. What Riau is doing now is a good example of how a collaborative approach can be built," he said.
Roeslani also affirmed that his ministry would follow up on the various proposals submitted, including infrastructure development, simplification of investment regulations, and enhancement of regional human resource capacity to prepare for technology-based and green industry investment.
The meeting is expected to result in follow-up actions including memoranda of understanding, technical assistance, and further visits by the Ministry of Investment to regions across Riau, including Bengkalis Regency, to pursue the concrete opportunities discussed.
The visit aimed to foster relations, build more intensive communication between the central and regional governments, and discuss a number of important agenda items related to accelerating development, investment, and downstream processing of regional potential.
In a warm yet productive dialogue, the Riau Governor conveyed various strategic issues and concrete proposals to the Investment Minister. One of the key issues highlighted was the resolution of road infrastructure problems frequently damaged by mining transport activities, particularly coal trucks. The Governor proposed the construction of a logistics railway as a long-term solution that would not only improve distribution but also be environmentally friendly and support logistics cost efficiency.
During the occasion, Bengkalis Regent Kasmarni conveyed aspirations and hopes from Bengkalis Regency, one of the strategic areas on the eastern coast of Sumatra.
"We from the Bengkalis Regency Government welcome this forum as a means of building direct and strategic communication with the Ministry of Investment. We fully recognise that accelerating regional economic growth will not be optimal without the active involvement of investors. Therefore, we desire concrete and sustainable collaboration between regional and central government," said Kasmarni.
"We have extraordinary potential across the maritime and fisheries sector, renewable energy, agriculture, and Malay culture-based tourism. However, this potential will be meaningless without concrete steps in investment promotion and infrastructure strengthening. We hope the Ministry of Investment can help facilitate investor entry with more accommodating regulations and a comprehensive investment support system," she added.
Kasmarni also highlighted the importance of downstream processing in creating added value from local products. She noted that many raw materials from Bengkalis have been sold in unprocessed form without further processing.
"We are ready to transform into a region that is not only rich in natural resources but also capable of processing and managing that potential through downstream industries. For this, support from the Ministry of Investment is greatly needed, both in terms of promotion, funding, and industrial zone development," Kasmarni explained.
The Bengkalis Regent also affirmed that the regency is ready to welcome investment with an open spirit and bureaucratic ease. "We have the spirit to change and advance. We continue to improve, build a conducive business climate, and of course open ourselves to investment aligned with the principles of sustainability and public welfare," she concluded.
Meanwhile, Investment Minister Rosan Perkasa Roeslani expressed appreciation for Governor Riau's initiative in bringing regional heads directly to engage in dialogue and present proposals in a structured manner. He stated that the central government strongly supports regions that are proactive in creating a welcoming and productive investment ecosystem.
"We welcome input from the Governor and the regents/mayors. Investment cannot operate in one direction alone. It requires cooperation between central and regional government. What Riau is doing now is a good example of how a collaborative approach can be built," he said.
Roeslani also affirmed that his ministry would follow up on the various proposals submitted, including infrastructure development, simplification of investment regulations, and enhancement of regional human resource capacity to prepare for technology-based and green industry investment.
The meeting is expected to result in follow-up actions including memoranda of understanding, technical assistance, and further visits by the Ministry of Investment to regions across Riau, including Bengkalis Regency, to pursue the concrete opportunities discussed.