News - Investment Enters Karawang, Job Opportunities Become More Open

Investment Enters Karawang, Job Opportunities Become More Open

Mar, 06 2026

The Government of West Java Province signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PT Deli Indonesia Office Technology to accelerate development initiatives in West Java. The MoU was signed by the Governor of West Java, Dedi Mulyadi, at SMKN 1 Karawang on January 28, 2026. On the same occasion, another MoU was signed with PT CBL Solusi Logistik regarding the development of the Cikarang Bekasi Laut Inland Waterways transportation route in West Java.

Through this collaboration, the regional government encourages companies to prioritize hiring workers from local communities. This policy aims to increase employment opportunities for residents as new investments continue to enter West Java, particularly in Karawang Regency.

In addition to providing job opportunities, the company also offers internship programs for students of SMKN 1 Karawang. Students can participate in a three-month practical training program, and after completing the program and graduating from school, qualified students may be directly recruited by the company without undergoing additional selection processes.

The West Java Provincial Government also offers foreign language training programs for 40 students from SMKN 1 Karawang, consisting of 20 students studying Mandarin and 20 students studying English. The six-month training program is funded by the provincial government and aims to prepare human resources capable of communicating with foreign investors, particularly those from China.

PT Deli Indonesia Office Technology plans to build a factory producing office equipment such as attendance machines, paper shredders, and office stationery. The factory construction is scheduled to begin in March 2026 with an investment value of approximately USD 150 million and is expected to be completed by 2027. Once operational, the company is projected to employ around 3,000 workers.

In addition to manufacturing investment, the partnership with PT CBL Solusi Logistik aims to develop a sea transportation route through the Cikarang Bekasi Laut canal. This route is expected to serve as an alternative logistics transportation corridor that is more efficient and free from traffic congestion, connecting Babelan, Tanjung Priok Port, and eventually Patimban Port.

Overall, the incoming investment in Karawang not only contributes to regional economic growth but also creates new employment opportunities and improves the readiness of the local workforce through training and vocational education programs.

[Source]

The High Investment Inflow in Karawang Has Little Impact on Labor Absorption

Karawang (ANTARA) – The Karawang Regency Manpower and Transmigration Office in West Java acknowledged that the high level of investment entering Karawang does not necessarily increase labor absorption because most investments are capital-intensive. “The investments entering Karawang are mostly capital-intensive, so they don’t significantly affect labor absorption,” said Rosmalia Dewi, Head of the Karawang Manpower and Transmigration Office, on Sunday in Karawang. Capital-intensive investments mean companies rely heavily on machines and technology, requiring fewer human workers. This contrasts with about ten years ago when many labor-intensive investments focused on employing large numbers of workers entered Karawang. “Because most of the incoming investments are capital-intensive, the labor absorption is not very large,” she added. However, the office continues efforts to improve human resources so local job candidates in Karawang can compete. This includes collaboration with schools and companies to conduct training programs to ensure graduates’ skills meet industry needs. According to data from the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), investment in Karawang reached Rp68 trillion in 2024, a significant increase from Rp42.1 trillion in 2023. Despite this large investment figure, it does not correspond to a proportional increase in employment. Data from the Karawang Manpower and Transmigration Office shows that in the first half of 2022, labor absorption amounted to only 4,524 people. In the third quarter of 2023, out of 1,934 investment projects, labor absorption was only 4,314. From January to June 2025, domestic and foreign investment in Karawang reached Rp30.24 trillion, but the labor absorption for the same period was only 12,209 people. [SOURCE]

Dec, 12 2025

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

Investment Realization in Bandung Regency Increases by IDR 703 Billion

PIKIRAN RAKYAT - Investment realization in Bandung Regency in 2025 exceeded 100.9% of the target. In terms of value, there was an increase of IDR 703 billion, or 7.83%, compared to the realization in 2024. The Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Agency (DPMPTSP) continues to strive to increase investment realization. Head of the Bandung Regency DPMPTSP, Ben Indra Agusta, stated that investment realization in Bandung Regency in 2025 reached IDR 9.68 trillion. This figure consisted of IDR 6.86 trillion in domestic investment (PMDN) and IDR 2.82 trillion in foreign investment (PMA). "Investment realization in Bandung Regency in 2025 reached IDR 9.68 trillion, exceeding the target of IDR 9.61 trillion. Compared to IDR 8.98 trillion in 2024, investment realization in 2025 increased by IDR 703 billion. Percentage-wise, domestic investment contributed 70.85% to the 2025 realization. Meanwhile, foreign investment contributed 29.15%," said Ben, Wednesday (January 28, 2026). He revealed five sectors that contributed to investment realization in Bandung Regency in 2025. For the foreign investment group, these sectors are: the chemical and pharmaceutical industry with an investment value of IDR 663 billion; the food industry (IDR 554 billion); the rubber and plastics industry (IDR 522 billion); textiles (IDR 428 billion); and trade and repair (IDR 234 billion). Meanwhile, domestic investment (PMDN) is allocated to the textile industry at IDR 2.05 trillion, housing, industrial estates, and offices at IDR 1.71 trillion, other services at IDR 991 billion, trade and repairs at IDR 608 billion, and the food industry at IDR 366 billion. Continuous Upward Trend Ben stated that investment value in Bandung Regency continues to rise year after year, particularly PMDN. He stated that PMDN realization has been steadily increasing since 2021. "PMDN realization continues to grow, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. PMDN realization reached IDR 1.23 trillion in 2021, continuing to rise, reaching IDR 6.86 trillion in 2025. General investment (PMDN and FDI) has also continued to rise since 2021," he said. "These regulations include clear and comprehensive spatial planning regulations in the Regional Spatial Plan (RTRW) and Detailed Spatial Plan (RDTR), as well as Regent Regulation Number 239 of 2025 concerning the Delegation of Authority for the Implementation of Licensing Services to the Head of the Bandung Regency DPMTSP," said Ben. Ben stated that he is ready to realize the investment target for 2026. To this end, his office is implementing several steps, including improving the submission of Investment Activity Reports and further exploring investment potential and opportunities. "We are also ready to conduct promotions to attract investors to invest in Bandung Regency," he said. [SOURCE]

Jan, 30 2026

Bekasi Regency Wins Highest Investment Realization in West Java Province in 2023

CIKARANG PUSAT - The Bekasi Regency Government through the One Stop Integrated Services and Investment Service (DPMPTSP) released data on investment realization for Bekasi Regency per quarter III from January - September 2023. From this data, Bekasi Regency still received the title as the region with the highest investment realization in West Java Province, namely worth more than IDR 41.5 trillion. Or to be precise IDR 41,586,299,607,234. Meanwhile, in second place are Karawang Regency and Bogor Regency. Head of the One Stop Integrated Services and Investment Service (PMPTSP) Suhup stated that Bekasi Regency is still the champion at the provincial level in terms of investment realization. Suhup is optimistic that the target given by the West Java Provincial Government in realizing investment in Bekasi Regency of IDR 50 trillion in 2023 can be realized. "To get to the third quarter, we have reached IDR 41.5 trillion. This is extraordinary. In West Java we are still champions. Still far from other cities which are in positions 2 and 3," said Suhup in his office on Tuesday (31 /10/2023). He said that his optimism was not without reason, but because he saw that the investment climate in Bekasi Regency was very good, which encouraged investors to invest in the Bekasi Regency area. Apart from that, efforts to record investment coming into Bekasi Regency are also continuously carried out by companies. "In 2023, Bekasi Regency is targeting approximately IDR 50 trillion. Now the data released by BKPM has been released for the 3rd quarter. According to the target from this province, hopefully by the end of 2023 it can be achieved and we are optimistic, because to this day, investors are interested in come and invest still large capital," he said. According to him, DPMPTSP always urges these investors to continuously report on investments made in Bekasi Regency so that investment realization data collection continues to be updated. He also explained that the highest investment realization for foreign capital was occupied by Japanese investors. "So, Japan has the largest foreign capital. That's almost IDR 10.2 trillion. Second, Singapore is almost IDR 4.7 trillion. Then China is almost IDR 3.9 trillion, then South Korea is almost IDR 2.2 trillion," he said. Responding to the high realization of investment in Bekasi Regency, Suhup hopes that this will be accompanied by more optimal absorption of local labor. However, residents of Bekasi Regency must be able to compete to have skill standards determined independently by existing companies. "That's why we hope that the high realization of this investment will absorb local workers, but companies already have qualification standards to accept workers, this is something we must strive for together," he concluded. From the data released regarding this realization achievement, it is calculated from Foreign Direct Investment (PMA) and Domestic Investment (PMDN) up to the third quarter from January - September 2023. In detail, PMA investment is IDR 27.1 trillion while PMDN is IDR 14.4 trillion. Meanwhile, the highest business sector is occupied by housing, industrial areas and offices, valued at IDR 6.9 trillion, then the motor vehicle industry and other means of transportation sector at IDR 6.5 trillion. In third place is the Metal, Machinery and Electronics Industry sector with IDR 5.4 trillion. Of these three sectors, the first sector absorbs 9,144 workers, the second, 4,302 workers and the third sector 3,409 workers. Then, if we calculate the labor absorption in West Java Province, Bekasi Regency has absorbed around 37,175 workers, while below it is Karawang Regency with 26,125 workers, and Bogor Regency with 23,547 workers. From PMA it absorbs 21,730 workers, and from PMDN it absorbs 15,445 workers. (SOURCE)

Nov, 27 2023

Jotun Inaugurates Water-Based Paint Factory in Cikarang, Investing Rp1 Trillion to Strengthen Manufacturing Industry

Global paint and coatings company Jotun has officially inaugurated its newest water-based paint factory in Cikarang, West Java, with an investment of IDR 1 trillion. This step is a key strategy to strengthen production capacity and support the growth of the manufacturing industry in Indonesia. Jotun Indonesia President Director, Arun Kumar, stated that Indonesia is one of Jotun's key markets globally. Of the company's more than 100 operating countries, Indonesia is among the company's 10 largest contributors. "The inauguration of this facility reflects our confidence in the potential of the Indonesian market, as well as our commitment to strengthening local manufacturing and bringing global quality closer to consumers," he said at the factory inauguration in Cikarang on Wednesday (April 15, 2026). The new factory is projected to increase Jotun's production capacity to 100 million liters per year. The facility is expected to ensure more stable product availability, faster distribution, and consistent quality for construction and residential projects. Furthermore, the facility is equipped with modern, integrated manufacturing technology to increase production efficiency and support sustainable business growth. The growth of the construction sector and the increasing demand for high-quality products suited to tropical climates make Indonesia a strategic market for Jotun. This investment also aligns with the government's target, set by the Ministry of Industry of the Republic of Indonesia, of 5.51% manufacturing industry growth by 2026, with a contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 18.56%.[Source]

May, 29 2026

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