Riau Governor and Regional Heads Meet Investment Minister to Accelerate Regional Development
JAKARTA - Riau Province is known as a region with significant investment potential and abundant natural resources, making it an attractive destination for investors. In an effort to unlock these investment opportunities, Riau Governor Abdul Wahid, together with regents and mayors from across the province, held a direct meeting with 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 May 2025.
The visit aimed to build rapport, foster 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 raised various strategic issues and concrete proposals with 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 logistical cost efficiency.
During the meeting, Bengkalis Regent Kasmarni conveyed the aspirations and hopes of Bengkalis Regency, one of the strategic areas on the eastern coast of Sumatra. Regent Kasmarni emphasised the importance of building close synergy between the central government, particularly the Ministry of Investment, and regional governments.
"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, from the marine and fisheries sector, renewable energy, agriculture, to 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 assistance 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 only been sold in unprocessed form.
"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 crucial, both in terms of promotion, funding and industrial zone development," Kasmarni explained.
Regent Kasmarni also affirmed that Bengkalis Regency is ready to welcome investment with an open spirit and bureaucratic ease. "We have the spirit to change and progress. 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 the Riau Governor's initiative in bringing regional heads directly to 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 the input from the Governor and the regents/mayors. Investment cannot run 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.
Rosan Roeslani also confirmed that his office 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 from the Ministry of Investment to regions in Riau, including Bengkalis Regency, to pursue the concrete opportunities discussed.
The visit aimed to build rapport, foster 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 raised various strategic issues and concrete proposals with 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 logistical cost efficiency.
During the meeting, Bengkalis Regent Kasmarni conveyed the aspirations and hopes of Bengkalis Regency, one of the strategic areas on the eastern coast of Sumatra. Regent Kasmarni emphasised the importance of building close synergy between the central government, particularly the Ministry of Investment, and regional governments.
"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, from the marine and fisheries sector, renewable energy, agriculture, to 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 assistance 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 only been sold in unprocessed form.
"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 crucial, both in terms of promotion, funding and industrial zone development," Kasmarni explained.
Regent Kasmarni also affirmed that Bengkalis Regency is ready to welcome investment with an open spirit and bureaucratic ease. "We have the spirit to change and progress. 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 the Riau Governor's initiative in bringing regional heads directly to 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 the input from the Governor and the regents/mayors. Investment cannot run 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.
Rosan Roeslani also confirmed that his office 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 from the Ministry of Investment to regions in Riau, including Bengkalis Regency, to pursue the concrete opportunities discussed.