West Java's "Shenzhen" CEOs Gather: What Did They Discuss?

The Rebana Area Management Agency (BP Rebana) has begun forming a talent ecosystem to ensure that investment growth in West Java’s new economic corridor connects with local workforce absorption, skill enhancement, and sustainable development agendas.

This was revealed at the Rebana CEO Club 2026, held on Monday (4/5/2026) at the Aston Cirebon Hotel in West Java. The forum, attended by more than 70 stakeholders in the Rebana area, brought together industry players, area developers, financial institutions, educational institutions, business associations, and development partners to align industrial needs with human resource readiness in the Rebana area.

For context, the Rebana Area encompasses Cirebon, Patimban, and Kertajati, forming a new economic corridor in West Java, often referred to as Indonesia’s “Shenzhen.” This alludes to the modern metropolitan city in Guangdong Province, southern China, which serves as the headquarters for China’s technology and innovation giants.

At the Rebana CEO Club 2026, Dayarebana.id was introduced. This collaborative platform was developed as a joint initiative by stakeholders in the Rebana Area. It was stated that Dayarebana.id is not positioned as a standalone initiative but as a shared instrument requiring active involvement from various parties.

Through this platform, industrial labour needs can be mapped early, while educational and training institutions can adjust their programmes to the competencies truly required in the field.

“This platform is expected to serve as a meeting space between industry, educational institutions, vocational training, local government, and job seekers in building a more responsive labour supply chain to investment needs,” said BP Rebana Executive Head Helmy Yahya, quoted on Thursday (7/5/2026).

“Rebana is currently at an important momentum as a new growth area. However, Rebana’s success cannot be measured solely by increased investment, but also by how well that investment connects with strengthening local community capacity,” he added.

Helmy stated that Rebana continues to grow and strengthen as West Java’s strategic economic corridor.

He explained that investment realisation in the Rebana Area in 2025 grew 56% compared to the previous year. The area’s economic growth also reached 5.12%, with investments absorbing around 86,000 workers.

“These achievements show that Rebana is increasingly playing a role as one of West Java’s economic growth engines,” he said.

“But this growth must be accompanied by human resource readiness. Our challenge is not just attracting investment, but ensuring that incoming investments can create job opportunities, enhance local community capacity, and provide maximum benefits for the region,” he stated.

It was mentioned that at the Rebana CEO Club 2026, BP Rebana encouraged cross-sector collaboration to address human resource challenges. Dayarebana.id was cited as one of the quick wins in those collaborative efforts.

Additionally, Rebana’s human resource development is no longer reactive after industries operate, but is part of the area’s development strategy from the outset. This approach is crucial so that investment growth can be converted into local job opportunities, competency improvements, and strengthened competitiveness of the local workforce.

The discussion featured CEO of PT DayaLima Abisatya Daniel Simeon Tumiwa, ESG Consultant at BDO Indonesia Bayu Wardana Putra, and HRD Director of VinFast Automobile Indonesia Hendri Nata.

Practices linking investment and local labour are evident from the presence of PT VinFast Automobile Indonesia in Subang. The Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer is developing a 171-hectare factory in the Rebana Area, targeting a production capacity of up to 50,000 units per year in the first phase. In terms of employment, VinFast has absorbed 61% of its workforce from Subang. This achievement demonstrates that large-scale investments can have a direct impact on the region if supported by appropriate recruitment, training, and local collaboration strategies.

Besides the industrial and employment sectors, the event also received support from Bank BJB. At the forum, Bank BJB affirmed its role in supporting Rebana Area growth through integrated financial services, including financing for investors and area managers, services for tenants and employees, and support for the business ecosystem.

“Rebana is projected to become one of West Java’s most strategic economic corridors. With continuously growing investments, the presence of new industries, and area infrastructure support, cross-sector collaboration is key so that Rebana not only develops as an industrial centre but also as a growth area that provides real benefits for the local community,” said Helmy.