News - Boosting the Tourism Economy: Bandung City Government Pushes to Elevate Culinary and Sports Tourism

Boosting the Tourism Economy: Bandung City Government Pushes to Elevate Culinary and Sports Tourism

Aug, 28 2026

PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY – The Bandung City Government is pushing culinary and sports tourism as primary economic drivers to unlock business opportunities for local residents while attracting domestic and international visitors.

Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan conveyed this message while attending the inauguration of the West Java Cafe and Restaurant Association (AKAR) board of directors on Wednesday (Aug 26, 2026).

Farhan highlighted that local football club Persib Bandung actively stimulates the regional economy through matches and its exclusive management of the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api (GBLA) Stadium.

“Persib generates a lot of economic activity. Their exclusive management rights over GBLA open up immense opportunities for entrepreneurs to set up around the stadium and build a thriving culinary tourism hub,” Farhan stated.

Persib matches draw spectators from outside Bandung, boosting business for nearby culinary establishments and lodging providers.

Farhan noted that sports tourism brings in visitors who spend money on accommodation, dining, shopping, and sightseeing.

“Sports tourism brings immense fortune to Bandung City,” he noted, adding that athletic events such as marathons draw out-of-town participants who stay for several nights, creating a positive economic trickle-down effect.

Farhan highlighted that the culinary sector is essential to Bandung's identity, as travelers require dining and lodging options during their stay.

“Culinary and hospitality businesses in Bandung City are crucial. That is why I deeply appreciate the presence of the West Java Cafe and Restaurant Association (AKAR),” he remarked.

He expressed hope that AKAR will serve as a platform for communication and business development without restricting competition through cartel practices. Fair competition, he emphasized, drives operators to continuously innovate.

Farhan also encouraged innovation to enhance the value of traditional local snacks such as cilok, cireng, and seblak—which have evolved into upscale menu offerings.

“When we were kids, cilok, cireng, and seblak were simple street foods. Today, you can enjoy them plated in upscale venues for IDR 100,000 a portion,” he noted, urging business owners to preserve cultural identity through menu innovations alongside strong management practices.

Meanwhile, West Java Vice Governor Erwan Setiawan stated that the culinary industry directly ties into employment, tourism, culture, and regional identity.

“When we discuss culinary, we are not just talking about food and drink. We are talking about the economy, jobs, tourism, culture, and West Java's identity,” Erwan expressed.

Erwan highlighted that West Java possesses rich culinary assets across its 27 regencies and cities, including nasi timbel, karedok, lotek, batagor, surabi, peuyeum, and seblak.

He called on AKAR's 2026–2031 board to elevate local food branding and cultivate a healthy business ecosystem open to investment.

“Anyone from anywhere is welcome to do business and invest in West Java. However, I emphasize that employees must be West Java residents, and the food served should highlight West Java's distinctive character,” Erwan clarified.

Erwan added that enhanced transport connectivity between Jakarta and Bandung creates greater opportunities to capture culinary-driven tourism, urging AKAR leaders to serve as active drivers of West Java's broader food ecosystem.

[Source]

The Global South is being called a new arena for the fight for manufacturing investment

The shift in investment flows to developing countries or the Global South is considered both an opportunity and a new challenge for Indonesia to accelerate industrialization and strengthen its position in the global supply chain. Warih Andang Tjahjono, Advisory Board Member of the Industrial Engineering Community of the Bandung Institute of Technology, stated that developing countries are now the main destinations for global investors due to slowing economic growth in several major countries such as China, the United States, and the European region. According to him, this condition has made regions such as Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East new centers of competition in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). "Now we have what we call the Global South countries. The competition is getting stronger, and Indonesia must continue to increase its investment attractiveness," he said at an industry and investment discussion forum on Tuesday (May 26, 2026). He explained that developed countries currently face various domestic and geopolitical challenges that affect global investment flows. The United States is said to be more focused on strengthening its own industry, while Europe is still overshadowed by geopolitical pressures. Meanwhile, China is starting to experience a slowdown in economic growth compared to the previous era, when it was able to grow up to 8%-9% per year. Currently, China's economic growth is around 5%-6%. [Source]

May, 29 2026

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]

Dec, 23 2025

DPMPTSP West Java Urges Businesses to Submit LKPM Before April 15

The Investment and One-Stop Integrated Service Agency (DPMPTSP) of West Java Province has set an ambitious investment realization target of Rp80 trillion for the first quarter of 2026. To achieve this target, the regional government is urging business actors to promptly submit their Investment Activity Reports (LKPM) no later than April 15. Head of DPMPTSP West Java, Dedi Taufik, explained that the LKPM results for this period will serve as a crucial indicator to measure the region’s economic resilience. The data will show whether the current global geopolitical escalation significantly affects investor interest in West Java. “On April 15, we will finalize the LKPM results. This will also serve as an instrument to assess the investment outlook going forward whether the current global geopolitical situation affects investment interest in West Java,” said Dedi Taufik in Bandung on Wednesday (April 8, 2026). Based on preliminary data held by DPMPTSP as of the end of March 2026, investment realization in West Java has reached Rp50 trillion, or approximately 62.5% of the first-quarter target. The government remains optimistic that the remaining Rp30 trillion target can be achieved as reports from major companies are submitted within the remaining time. “Our target is Rp80 trillion in Q1 2026. Previously, only Rp50 trillion had been recorded. We hope that incoming reports until mid-April will cover the shortfall,” he added. Dedi Taufik also called on all industrial estate managers in West Java to ensure orderly reporting administration among their members. In addition, he encouraged regency/city governments not to focus solely on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), but also to start exploring the growing potential of Domestic Direct Investment (DDI). In accordance with instructions from the Ministry of Investment/BKPM of Indonesia, non-MSME business actors are required to submit LKPM through the OSS-RBA system. Failure to report business activities may result in strict administrative sanctions. Dedi emphasized that LKPM is not merely an administrative obligation, but also a protection instrument for businesses. Companies that consistently report will receive priority in guidance, facilitation for operational issues, and support in licensing processes. “Their reports serve as the basis for us to formulate targeted regional investment policies. So, there is a mutual benefit between the government and business actors,” he explained. For business actors experiencing technical difficulties in reporting, DPMPTSP West Java has provided assistance services through a call center, WhatsApp center, and official social media accounts. “Once again, we emphasize that LKPM is mandatory for all business actors to ensure transparency and sustainable economic growth in West Java,” Dedi concluded. [Source]

Apr, 13 2026

Industry calls for recycling investments to be factored into the EPR scheme.

JAKARTA (ANTARA) – Food and beverage industry players are urging the government to factor corporate investments in building recycling ecosystems into the performance-based Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy through an eco-modulation scheme. Public Affairs Sustainability Director of Danone Indonesia, Karyanto Wibowo, stated that the implementation of EPR should not merely serve as a waste management financing mechanism, but also function as an instrument to drive packaging innovation, enhance material circularity, and bolster investment in recycling infrastructure. “We believe that EPR serves not only as a waste management financing mechanism, but also as an instrument to encourage packaging innovation, increase material circularity, invest in recycling infrastructure, and develop more sustainable business models,” Karyanto said in Jakarta on Monday (Aug 31). The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) previously pushed for the implementation of EPR using an eco-modulation approachoffering incentives based on an industry's environmental performance, including the use of recycled and sustainable materials. Karyanto emphasized that corporate investments in collection, sorting, and recycling facilities including the empowerment of waste pickers and the development of recycled material supply chains must be credited as part of their EPR contribution. According to him, this recognition is essential to prevent double charging for companies that have proactively invested in building a circular ecosystem. “Companies that invested early in the circular ecosystem have helped build national capacity, which ultimately supports the achievement of government targets as well,” he added. Echoing this view, Director of Government Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability at PepsiCo Indonesia, Gabrielle Angriani Johny, stated that her company supports the government's goal of creating a cleaner environment through EPR implementation. “We hope the presence of this EPR regulation provides certainty for both the government and the industry in waste management,” she said. Gabrielle noted that independent packaging collection and recycling initiatives already conducted by companies alongside various partners should also be accounted for under the EPR framework. She suggested that the government consider fiscal incentives or business facilitation to encourage further industrial investment in recycling facilities and ecosystems. She also stressed the importance of enforcing EPR in a transparent, phased, and equitable manner, backed by clear third-party verification mechanisms involving all stakeholders. “Our hope is that EPR regulations and on-the-ground implementation run transparently with clear third-party verification. We hope this EPR regulation is applied transparently, evenly, and gradually, involving all stakeholders so it does not become a burden on the industry, but effectively achieves the goals of EPR itself,” she expressed. Meanwhile, Director of Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Indonesia (CCEP Indonesia), Dhedy Adi Nugroho, stated that eco-modulation-based EPR implementation should consider the performance of companies that have already fulfilled waste reduction obligations in accordance with existing regulations. “In its implementation, companies verified to have executed the Producer Waste Reduction Roadmap pursuant to Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. 75/2019 should ideally be considered within the EPR scheme. This approach is vital to drive more investment, innovation, and industrial collaboration in packaging waste management,” Dhedy noted. According to him, recognizing business actors' ongoing efforts will establish a fairer and more effective EPR mechanism, supporting national waste reduction targets. CCEP Indonesia is among the companies verified to have implemented the waste reduction roadmap. In 2025, the company not only collected post-consumer PET bottles, but also utilized 100 percent recycled content in 22 percent of the bottle packaging produced throughout that year. [Source]

Sep, 02 2026

Minister Rosan: Investment Absorbs 7.1 Million Workers in Jokowi's Second Term

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Rosan Roeslani said that during the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet or the second period of President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi) administration, investment in the country was able to absorb 7,188,479 workers. Rosan said, on average every year 1,437,695 workers are absorbed due to investment realization. "In terms of job creation, the total employment absorption during the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet is also 7,188,479 workers in Indonesia or the average per year is approximately 1,437,695 (absorbed labor)," said Rosan when giving a speech at 2024 Investment Service Award event in Jakarta which was broadcast online on Monday (30/9/2024). "Because we know that job creation is our task or challenge which we must carry out continuously," he continued. Rosan also said that by the end of September 2024, Indonesia's investment achievement is estimated at IDR 6,350 trillion. This achievement is the realization of investment during the second period of President Jokowi's administration. "We can say that during the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet period (2019) until June 2024, there was investment realization of IDR 5,931.3 trillion, which is estimated by the end of September 2024 to reach IDR 6,350 trillion," said Rosan. Based on these achievements, according to him, there has been an increase in investment achievements of 90.2 percent since 2019. Meanwhile, according to the government's average calculations, there is investment growth of 18 percent per year. Rosan said that the achievement of investment realization shows that the policies issued by the government have been well responded to by the public and the market. "So based on the distribution of this investment, since 2020 more of it has been outside Java," said Rosan. Meanwhile, in terms of risk-based business licensing services, there are 10,382,846 business identification numbers (NIB) issued by the government in 2921-2024 through the online single submission (OSS) system. "This also shows that business licensing is easier and also provides greater certainty and the majority of the permits we give are to small and medium businesses," said Rosan. However, continued Rosan, the ease of issuing business permits has not yet occurred for medium and large businesses. The reason is that medium and large businesses require a longer verification process. Involves ministries, institutions, regional governments and there are a number of other technical requirements. So Rosan asked all related parties to improve regulations to speed up licensing services. "We need, in our opinion, to increase investment competitiveness, improve regulations and improve services and accelerate licensing in accordance with authority at both the central and regional levels," he said. "On this occasion we also appeal and convey to all government ministries and institutions, provincial governments, district governments, city governments to provide the best service," added Rosan. (SOURCE)

Oct, 01 2024

Navigation