News - Bandung Chinese Cultural Center Urged to Become a Driver of the Local Economy

Bandung Chinese Cultural Center Urged to Become a Driver of the Local Economy

Aug, 26 2026

GALAMEDIANEWS – The Indonesian Chinese Cultural Center in Bandung City is being urged to extend its function beyond cultural preservation. Its presence is expected to create economic opportunities while strengthening intercultural interaction within the community.

This push was highlighted by West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi during the inauguration of the Indonesian Chinese Cultural Center Building and the 50th golden anniversary celebration of the Priangan Social Support Foundation (YDSP) on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.

Dedi requested that the cultural center refrain from creating a divide with the surrounding community. According to him, the building and its surrounding area must provide tangible benefits, particularly in boosting local productivity and the economy.

“This building must not become an ivory tower that widens the disparity with its surrounding environment,” Dedi stated.

He even proposed a comprehensive area redevelopment to integrate the Indonesian Chinese Cultural Center with its surroundings, turning it into one of Bandung City's newest tourist destinations.

According to Dedi, access routes leading to the area could be enhanced with Chinese cultural accents, such as installing Chinese ornaments around the Pasir Koja Toll Gate, which serves as a key access point.

Additionally, sidewalks and street lighting could be beautified using lanterns. The residential neighborhood surrounding the center should also be revamped to be cleaner, more comfortable, and attractive to visitors.

However, area redevelopment should not rely solely on physical infrastructure. Dedi emphasized that local residents must be prepared to capture the economic opportunities generated by the center.

Residents, he said, could receive entrepreneurship training, including Chinese culinary preparation, souvenir crafting, and marketing skills.

“The approach is to educate the surrounding community not by giving handouts, but by training them to become productive,” he explained.

Dedi believes this approach will deliver a direct economic impact to local residents.

He also encouraged holding regular cultural performances at the site. Fusing Sundanese and Chinese cultures in these showcases could serve as both a tourist draw and a space for community interaction.

“We can hold performances once a week or once a month. The Provincial Government can cover the performance costs that's fine, as long as people visit. It will feature joint Sundanese and Chinese performances,” he added.

According to Dedi, the historical bond between Sundanese and Chinese cultures is nothing new. Chinese influence, he noted, has long integrated into West Java life through cuisine, language, and various traditions.

Therefore, he hopes the inauguration of the Indonesian Chinese Cultural Center serves as momentum to reinforce intercultural ties.

“Let us build this civilization through a cultural approach,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan stated that the establishment of the Indonesian Chinese Cultural Center, initiated by YDSP, demonstrates that cultural diversity can coexist and blend seamlessly with the local community.

Farhan conveyed this during the joint inauguration and YDSP's 50th golden anniversary event on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.

“The presence of the Chinese Cultural Center in Bandung, brought to life by YDSP, proves that cultural diversity in Bandung can unite and merge harmoniously with nearby residents,” Farhan remarked.

Farhan added that the Bandung City Government will work to ensure that supporting infrastructure surrounding the center is well-maintained and properly developed.

This step is necessary so that the cultural center can be used optimally by the public not only as a cultural venue but also as part of broader area development.

“Optimal utilization for the public is essential. We will ensure that the supporting infrastructure surrounding the site is maintained, cared for, and well-built,” he said.

Dedi added that the Indonesian Chinese Cultural Center is envisioned as a hub connecting culture, education, tourism, entrepreneurship, and local economic development.

The West Java Provincial Government will coordinate with the Bandung City Government to execute gradual area redevelopments, with major enhancements targeted to begin in 2027.

“Hopefully, this place will serve as a venue to enhance the human resource quality of West Java and Indonesia,” Dedi concluded.

Thus, the presence of the Indonesian Chinese Cultural Center is expected not only to enrich Bandung's cultural landscape, but also to serve as a community meeting point and a driver of local economic activity.

[Source]

West Java Governor: Investment Must Benefit Communities and the Environment

Bandung (ANTARA) – West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi reminded that investment should bring benefits to both the environment and local communities, not the opposite—such as causing water shortages, damaged roads, environmental degradation, or poor access to education and healthcare. “Investment should provide benefits to its surroundings, from the environment to the people,” Dedi said on the sidelines of the 34th Apindo National Working Conference (Rakerkonas) in Bandung, Tuesday (Aug 5). He pointed out that in many cases, companies’ operations have polluted their surroundings, but the compensation provided is often irrelevant or inadequate. “When pollution occurs, it’s the community that suffers first. But in the end, companies only offer compensation in the form of groceries or milk. I reject that. Pollution has nothing to do with giving away food packages,” he stressed. Dedi highlighted the large number of industrial companies producing air, noise, and liquid waste that directly affect residents. According to him, long-term solutions must focus on improving environmental infrastructure. “Fix the waste management system. Don’t just hand out food packages. This has to be corrected immediately,” he said. He also underlined that investment should create employment opportunities for local residents. However, he received reports of HR officers demanding illegal fees during recruitment processes. “There are HR personnel who exploit local people—charging money for jobs. This is a serious issue. Starting August, I will take action in coordination with the police,” Dedi warned. Dedi also vowed to crack down not only on internal corruption within companies, but also on external extortion from irresponsible groups that demand money through proposals or donation requests. “Companies are being taxed twice. After paying official taxes, they are still pressured to contribute to certain events. If they refuse, they are threatened or boycotted. We will put this in order,” he said. From the government side, Dedi reminded local administrations that industrial tax revenues must be used to improve the lives of surrounding communities. “Too often, when tax revenue is distributed, it isn’t used for the benefit of the nearby villages. Instead, the funds go to official trips, not development,” he criticized. To address this, the West Java Provincial Government will re-prioritize development programs in industrial-area villages so that no community feels left behind or is forced to seek unofficial support from companies. “If the village is industry-based, then our focus must be on clean water, road infrastructure, housing for the poor, and schools. Everything must be well provided,” Dedi concluded. [SOURCE]

Nov, 26 2025

West Java Economic Growth Maintained, Investment Remains Strong

The West Java economy in Quarter ll/2024 grew positively by 4.95 percent (yoy). This figure increased from the first quarter of 2024 which grew by 4.93 percent (yoy). This trend was inseparable from high domestic demand, increased investment, and maintained exports. From the demand side, the main support for West Java's economic performance was household consumption which grew to 5.02 percent (yoy) in line with the momentum of HBKN Idulfitri, Iduladha, and public holiday activities. "Gross Fixed Capital Formation (PMTB) grew 6.13 percent (yoy) in line with the realization of West Java's investment which again ranked first nationally with a value of Rp 63.7 trillion or an increase of 18.8 percent (yoy) in the quarter under review," explained the Head of the West Java Representative Office of Bank Indonesia, M Nur in his statement, Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Meanwhile, in terms of exports, West Java managed to grow positively by 10.72 percent (yoy) in line with customs data showing that foreign export performance increased by 1.61 percent (yoy) in the first quarter of 2024. In terms of business fields, West Java's economic growth was contributed by the processing industry which grew positively by 2.81 percent (yoy). "The maintenance of this positive performance was also confirmed by the growth rate of SKDU Industry which grew to 10.79 percent. The warehousing transportation sector grew by 14.1 percent (yoy), followed by the trade sector which grew by 4.53 percent (yoy)," he explained. The growth of the two sectors was also in line with the expenditure side where there was an increase in community activity during the HBKN and holiday periods. SOURCE

Aug, 07 2024

A Closer Look at West Java Products' Readiness to Enter the European Market Through Digital Product Passports

Global markets are increasingly demanding greater transparency, sustainability, and product traceability. As a result, businesses are required to digitally verify the origin and authenticity of their products to remain competitive in international trade. Java Spices, a spice producer based in Cijeruk, Bogor, West Java, has begun tracking its carbon footprint throughout the entire production process—from cultivating seedlings on organic farmland to product packaging—using the INA Trading export platform. Each spice package is equipped with a PERURI RFID Blockchain sticker, enabling comprehensive digital traceability. “European regulations will require the implementation of RFID and Blockchain technologies starting in 2030. Every product exported to Europe must be accompanied by a Digital Product Passport. INA Trading serves as a platform connecting businesses with buyers worldwide, allowing them to purchase products whose authenticity is guaranteed through PERURI RFID Blockchain and verified via the INA Trading mobile application,” said Amiranto Adi Wibowo, CEO of PUNDI and INA Trading, during the PERURI RFID Blockchain Seminar and Product Curation held in Bandung on Friday, June 26, 2026. PERURI Smart Card is responsible for calculating the carbon footprint generated from organic farming activities by utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) devices installed across organic farmland, transportation vehicles, and processing facilities. “All of the IoT devices we deploy are integrated with the INA Trading platform and PERURI Digital Security to support the implementation of RFID and Blockchain technologies,” said Muchrizal, CEO of PERURI Smart Card. The product curation program for Bandung and West Java resulted in a cooperation agreement between PUNDI/INA Trading and Polaris, as well as Java Spices/Archipelago. The partnership covers the implementation of PERURI RFID Blockchain technology on bottled spice products and bamboo-based products, including chairs, tables, and home décor items, for export to the Netherlands. The collaboration also aims to expand the distribution of West Java products to Serbia and other Eastern European countries. The products are scheduled to be shipped to the Netherlands in containers as part of the 2026 End-of-Year Sales program in Europe and for retail distribution, in collaboration with PERURI Smart Card, PERURI Digital Security, and PUNDI/INA Trading. Prior to export, marketing communications consultant Ginung Pratidina emphasized that each European country has distinct communication strategies and consumer preferences. Consequently, products from West Java must be tailored to individual markets through adjustments to packaging design, color selection, and social media storytelling. Business owners are therefore encouraged to refine both their packaging and promotional materials before entering the European market. Once the products reach consumers, the embedded RFID tags can be scanned to access comprehensive product information, including the origin of raw materials, artisan identity, production location, materials used, carbon footprint, certifications, and product authenticity verified through blockchain technology. Meanwhile, PERURI Digital Security provides digital signature technology, smart contracts, and cybersecurity systems to safeguard the integrity of product data. PUNDI, on the other hand, supplies the blockchain infrastructure and digital platform that enable every stage of a product's journey to be recorded transparently and protected against manipulation. [SOURCE]

Jul, 07 2026

West Java Tops National Layoff List; Regional Council Criticizes Investments for Failing to Absorb Local Workforce

Bandung – West Java recorded the highest number of layoffs (PHK) in Indonesia from January to June 2026. A total of 6,727 workers lost their jobs, accounting for approximately 20.8 percent of the national total of 32,389 layoffs. In other words, one out of every five laid-off workers in Indonesia came from West Java. The high layoff figures drew sharp criticism from Zaini Shofari, a member of Commission V of the West Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD). According to him, the large amount of investment flowing into West Java should go hand in hand with increased labor absorption, particularly for local residents. "It should be directly proportional. If there is investment, it means labor absorption grows, meaning employment increases, right? But apparently, that is not the case," Zaini said on Thursday (Aug 6, 2026). He assessed that this issue highlights an suboptimal synergy between incoming investment and the readiness of the workforce in West Java. Therefore, the Manpower Office (Dinas Tenaga Kerja) needs to play a more active role in preparing human resources (HR) that align with industry needs. "That means one of the pillars lies with the Manpower Office to develop the local workforce, for example. The labor absorption must be prepared. There should be synergy between investment in West Java and how that workforce is absorbed," he said. Zaini cited the condition in the Subang industrial area as an example. According to him, many hired workers still come from outside West Java, even though the investment is located within the province. "Take Subang recently; many people from outside West Java were hired there. It should be linear so that there is synergy between investments in West Java, prepared beforehand by the central government and continuous coordination with the provincial government, allowing the needs of companies to be met by local West Java workers," he explained. He clarified that investment decisions have largely been determined by the central government. As a result, local governments often lack sufficient time to prepare a workforce that matches the requirements of operating companies. "What happens is that investment decisions are made at the central level, and suddenly hundreds of hectares are allocated for a company. While the company is ready to offer jobs, local communities visited by these projects cannot yet access or enter that sphere," he said. Zaini also urged companies investing in West Java to pay greater attention to hiring from surrounding areas. While it should not be absolute, he believes local residents still deserve priority. "Since the company is located in the area, naturally, that is how it should be," he added. When asked about the need for regulations requiring companies to employ West Java residents, Zaini noted that such a policy could be considered. However, he emphasized that regulations must still take the specific needs of companies into account. "There should be something like that, though it doesn't have to be absolute. However, the surrounding community must be considered after all, that is partly why companies have CSR: to empower and support local residents," he concluded. [Source]

Aug, 10 2026

Investment in West Java Must Have an Impact on Community Welfare

Bisnis.com, BANDUNG -- West Java Provincial Secretary Herman Suryatman encourages investment in West Java to have a direct impact on the welfare of residents. West Java Province has become a favorite destination for both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Domestic Investment (DDI) companies, consistently ranking first nationally because West Java's investment realization consistently exceeds the targets set by the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM). Herman also hopes that investment absorption in West Java can improve human development indicators in the province. For example, unemployment rates, social inequality (Gini ratio), and poverty alleviation. “This morning, we are consolidating ourselves so that the performance of the West Java Provincial Investment and Integrated Services Agency (DPMPTSP), which is already excellent, can be even better. One thing we will create is how investment can have an impact on improving the welfare of the community,” he said on Tuesday (11/6/2024). Basically, Herman acknowledged that West Java's licensing and investment services are among the best in the country. Therefore, he reiterated that this should have a direct impact on community welfare. “We can reduce unemployment, the Gini index, and poverty through licensing and investment tools,” said Herman. Another thing Herman aims to achieve is to facilitate business permits for West Java residents with micro or super-micro businesses. "Stay tuned for the date. We will help, of course together with the regencies and cities,“ he said. Head of the West Java DPMPTSP Nining Yuliastiani stated that her office is ready to respond to this challenge. She is also committed to realizing the community welfare that Herman is targeting through inclusive and sustainable investment. ”We will realize community welfare through inclusive and sustainable investment," said Nining. [Source]

Oct, 30 2025

Navigation