DPRD has called for a more balanced distribution of investment across the province, warning against excessive concentration in a handful of regions, despite West Java's investment realization in 2025 nearing Rp300 trillion. Chair of Commission III of the West Java DPRD, Jajang Rohana, said the impressive achievement must be maintained, but its benefits should be shared more equitably among districts and cities.

 

Speaking in Bandung on Sunday, Jajang emphasized that exceeding the provincial investment target should not lead to complacency. Instead, he said the next priority is to ensure that incoming investments contribute to balanced regional development rather than simply boosting annual investment figures.

 

According to Jajang, sustaining investment growth depends on three key factors: streamlined licensing procedures, legal certainty, and a stable business climate. These elements, he noted, play a crucial role in determining whether investors remain committed to West Java or choose to relocate their investments to regions perceived as more investment-ready.

 

"To ensure investment does not decline, we must continue improving the ease of doing business, strengthen legal certainty, and maintain a conducive investment climate," Jajang said.

 

He also stressed the importance of improving infrastructure and workforce quality. Both factors, he explained, are decisive considerations for investors, particularly in manufacturing industries that rely on efficient supply chains and skilled labor. Without adequate transportation networks, logistics, and human resources, investment is likely to remain concentrated in already-developed areas.

 

"We must also continue enhancing infrastructure and workforce capacity," he added.

Jajang stated that West Java's investment realization in 2025 had exceeded the provincial government's target, reaching nearly Rp300 trillion. According to him, this achievement has contributed to stronger economic growth compared to 2024.

 

"In terms of investment, we have surpassed the target, and this has helped drive higher economic growth than in 2024," he said.

 

For the business community, the strong investment performance signals that West Java remains one of Indonesia's most attractive investment destinations. For local communities, the benefits are expected to be reflected in increased employment opportunities, more vibrant industrial activities, and greater demand in supporting sectors such as trade, transportation, and logistics services.

 

However, Jajang cautioned that economic growth should not remain concentrated in regions that have traditionally attracted the majority of investments. If capital continues to flow disproportionately into a limited number of areas, regional disparities could persist, leaving less-developed regions behind in terms of employment opportunities, business development, and public infrastructure.

 

He explained that the manufacturing sector continues to serve as the backbone of West Java's economy, with industries such as automotive, electronics, and textiles making significant contributions to regional economic activity.

 

Beyond manufacturing, infrastructure and transportation, wholesale trade, construction, and agriculture also play important roles in supporting the province's economic resilience, reinforcing West Java's position as one of Indonesia's leading economic hubs.

 

Nevertheless, Jajang argued that strong economic growth alone is insufficient if its benefits are unevenly distributed. Investment concentrated in a few industrial centers risks widening development gaps by limiting employment opportunities, small business growth, and public service improvements in other regions.

 

For this reason, the West Java DPRD is encouraging the provincial government to expand investment into a broader range of districts and municipalities. The objective is to ensure that economic growth reaches regions that have historically received a smaller share of investment.

 

In a separate statement, Deputy Chair of Commission III of the West Java DPRD, M. Romli, also called for greater investment in the Rebana Metropolitan Area, which comprises the regencies and municipalities of Cirebon, Indramayu, Majalengka, Kuningan, Subang, and Sumedang. He believes the region has the potential to become a new engine of economic growth capable of reducing development disparities with the Greater Jakarta metropolitan area.

 

According to Romli, the Rebana region recorded approximately Rp36.68 trillion in investment in 2025. During the first quarter of 2026, through April, investment realization reached Rp6.5 trillion, accounting for 8.43 percent of West Java's total investment.

 

He said these figures demonstrate growing investor confidence in the Rebana region, supported by ongoing infrastructure development and the expansion of industrial estates. Romli also highlighted the West Java DPRD's commitment to promoting green industrial development in Majalengka, leveraging the presence of Kertajati International Airport.

 

"We are encouraging other regions, including Majalengka within the Rebana Metropolitan Area, to develop as green industrial zones while promoting a more balanced distribution of industrial growth across West Java," Romli said.

 

Romli emphasized that the provincial legislature is not solely focused on achieving investment targets. More importantly, he said, the goal is to generate tangible economic benefits through lower unemployment, broader employment opportunities, and more equitable regional development. To achieve this, the DPRD continues to strengthen communication with prospective investors while promoting regional investment potential and improving infrastructure accessibility.

 

The message from the West Java DPRD is clear: attracting substantial investment remains important, but ensuring its equitable distribution across the province is even more critical. Without a balanced flow of investment, the province risks widening regional disparities despite recording nearly Rp300 trillion in investment realization.

 

[SOURCE]