Investment Flows Strongly, Dedi Mulyadi Confident Job Opportunities Will Grow
RMOLJABAR West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi is optimistic that West Java's employment situation will begin to improve in 2026. This confidence stems from the rapid influx of large-scale investments that will soon be realized and are projected to create thousands of new jobs.
According to data from the 2025 Investment Activity Report (LKPM), 31 Foreign Direct Investment (PMA)-based industries and 21 Domestic Direct Investment (PMDN)-based industries will begin construction of new factories and businesses in 2026, each with an investment value exceeding IDR 100 billion.
Some of the largest foreign investors are in the electric vehicle sector and its supporting industries, such as BYD Auto Indonesia, Contemporary Amperex Technology Indonesia Battery (CATL), and VinFast Automobile Indonesia. The entry of these global companies further solidifies West Java's position as a key hub for the development of the national electric vehicle ecosystem.
In addition to the automotive industry, investment is also flowing into the consumer goods and pharmaceutical industries through the expansion of Unilever Indonesia, Shell Manufacturing Indonesia, Epic Medical Solutions, and other pharmaceutical raw material and medical device manufacturers.
The textile and footwear sector also remains attractive, with investors such as Changshin Reksa Jaya, Victory Chingluh Indonesia, and Sing Wealth Textiles.
On the domestic investment side, strengthening activity is also reflected in 21 domestically invested companies scheduled to begin operations in 2026. These investments span the food and beverage, automotive, building materials, chemicals and plastics, textiles, and construction and manufacturing support industries.
Several local companies with significant investments include Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur, Handal Indonesia Motor, National Assemblers, and Polytama Propindo. Meanwhile, in the building materials and construction sector, investments are being made by Wijaya Karya Industri & Konstruksi, Jaya Beton Indonesia, and Pan Asia Jaya Abadi.
Dedi Mulyadi stated that the growth of these new industries will have a direct impact on job recovery in West Java, including reducing the number of workers previously affected by layoffs.
"Those 15,000 jobs will be recovered in the future with the growth of new jobs," said Dedi Mulyadi in Bandung on Monday, December 22, 2025.
According to Dedi, employment issues have often been hampered by licensing obstacles. Therefore, the active role of local governments is key to ensuring investment is not held back and that job creation plans can proceed on target.
"If the governor isn't diligent in orchestrating the process, going down to the grassroots level, processing permits, it will escalate to meeting with the minister," he said.
He believes that employment dynamics always present both challenges and opportunities. "So, yes, some will stall, but there is also room for entry," he said.
Meanwhile, the Head of the West Java Industry and Trade Office, Nining Yuliastiani, added that the realization of this investment will have a significant multiplier effect, from job creation, increasing public purchasing power, to strengthening the regional industrial structure.
"With the majority of projects targeted to begin operations in 2026, West Java is projected to remain a major contributor to national investment in the coming years," said Nining.
Nining stated that the contributions of the industrial and trade sectors until the third quarter of 2025 showed relatively stable conditions, with varying dynamics in each sector.
The industrial sector remains the main contributor, while the trade sector plays a supporting role in distribution and consumption activities.
In the first quarter, the industrial sector's contribution was recorded at 40.29 percent, while the trade sector contributed 14.70 percent.
This achievement reflects stability at the beginning of the year, with industrial production and trade activities continuing despite still being in a phase of adjusting programs and economic activities.
Entering the second quarter, the industrial sector's contribution decreased slightly to 40.06 percent, in line with the trade sector's contribution, which decreased to 14.37 percent.
This relatively small decline reflects economic challenges and fluctuations in demand, but does not disrupt the overall stability of the two sectors.
In the third quarter, the industrial sector's contribution increased again to 40.94 percent, indicating improved production activity and optimization of industrial development programs.
Meanwhile, the trade sector's contribution remained relatively stable at 14.38 percent, indicating a recovery and sustained distribution and trade transaction activity.
"Overall, the contribution and investment realization of the industrial and trade sectors from the first to the third quarter of 2025 reflect the resilience of the industrial sector and the stability of the trade sector, which serve as the foundation.
[SOURCE]