News - West Java's Economy Grows 5.73 Percent; Iwan Koswara: Ensure the Impact Is Felt by the Community

West Java's Economy Grows 5.73 Percent; Iwan Koswara: Ensure the Impact Is Felt by the Community

Aug, 07 2026

BANDUNG — West Java's economic growth in the second quarter of 2026, which surged to 5.73 percent, must deliver a tangible impact directly felt by all levels of the local community. This growth rate, standing above the national average of 5.29 percent, must not merely exist as an impressive figure on paper without concrete improvements in public welfare.

The direct impact of this growth is crucial for West Java residents who currently require new job opportunities, increased household income, and targeted poverty alleviation. Without equitable distribution and optimal labor absorption, high economic growth risks triggering deeper social inequality between urban and rural areas.

Promoting Inclusion and Reducing Poverty Rates Iwan Koswara, a member of Commission V of the West Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), commended the economic achievement as a positive signal for regional economic recovery and strengthening. However, he reminded the local government not to become complacent with macroeconomic indicators alone.

"High economic growth is certainly something to be grateful for. However, what is more important is how the results of that growth can create jobs, increase public income, and sustainably reduce poverty rates," Iwan Koswara stated on Thursday, August 6, 2026.

Iwan also highlighted the decline in West Java's poverty rate, which currently stands at 6.54 percent. While considering this indicator a positive development, he stressed that strengthening community empowerment programs is absolutely necessary so that residents build resilient, long-term economic fortitude.

Strengthening Manufacturing and Vocational Education The manufacturing sector remains the main driving force and the largest contributor to West Java's economic growth rate. To maintain this momentum, the quality of local human resources must be continuously improved so they can compete and be absorbed by modern industries.

A tactical step that the provincial government needs to accelerate is strengthening vocational education and job training programs, with curricula tailored to the actual needs of today's business world.

"Commission V of the West Java DPRD will continue to push for improvements in education quality, training, and workforce competency so that the people of West Java can fill the available job opportunities," Iwan said, reiterating the legislature's commitment.

Furthermore, equitable development remains an urgent task so that the benefits of growth are not solely enjoyed by residents in urban industrial areas, but also extend to remote rural communities.

"Moving forward, economic growth must become increasingly inclusive. This means its benefits are felt by all levels of society, thereby continuously improving the quality of life for West Java residents," Iwan concluded.

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West Java DPRD Regrets the Education Service for Not Responding to Investment Changes Related to the Provision of Vocational Schools

BANDUNGWETAN, AYOBANDUNG.COM - Member of Commission V of the West Java DPRD, Aceng Malki, regretted that the Education Department did not seem to be responding to changes in industry and investment by providing vocational schools in accordance with industry needs. He said that the availability of vocational school majors is currently still monotonous without paying attention to the conditions of industrial needs. "I see that vocational school majors in West Java are not linear with investment," said Aceng, Sunday 15 December 2024. He also gave an example in Karawang, which is one of the industrial centers, which is not accompanied by the provision of vocational school majors that suit needs. In this district, there is a lot of investment in both the automotive and other industries, but the availability of vocational school majors is actually a lot of management. As a result, many vocational school graduates are unable to enter work because their majors do not match the workforce needs in existing industries. "There should be planning resulting from coordination with Bappeda or SKPD related to investment. This planning is related to providing majors in vocational schools that are suitable for incoming investment. For example, if there is incoming investment in the automotive sector, then there must also be many automotive majors," he explained. Apart from that, vocational schools must also always update industrial technology so that their graduates can easily get jobs because their abilities are in line with industry needs. "Don't let companies that build factories using advanced technology, but Vocational Schools haven't updated the technology, end up with graduates still not being able to get jobs because they don't master the technology," he explained. According to Aceng, this condition actually occurs in West Java, so even though incoming investment is relatively high, labor absorption in the people of West Java is still low. "Because the skills of vocational school graduates do not match industry needs, in the end many of the workers accepted come from outside West Java. That's why the Education Department must reform vocational school majors so that they suit needs," he concluded.*** (SOURCE)

Dec, 18 2024

Bandung City has Investment Attractiveness, Here are 10 Potential Sectors

VIEWJABAR.COM - As the capital of West Java Province, Bandung City has its own attraction for investors to invest. In addition to providing economic benefits, investors also contribute to regional development. The existence of a harmonious blend of modernity and tradition, making Bandung one of the main investment destinations in Indonesia. With its various potentials, Bandung has become one of the main destinations for investors in seeking opportunities. Here are 10 potential sectors for investment in Bandung City: 1. Trade Sector: This sector continues to grow in Bandung City which is also known as a shopping paradise for tourists. 2. Tourism and MICE Sector: The city of Bandung has a variety of tourist and exhibition facilities or objects, becoming a major destination for economic tourism in Indonesia. 3. Services Sector: The services sector is supported by the productive and innovative character of the citizens of Bandung City, thus encouraging significant economic growth. 4. Transportation Sector: As a city of tourism and education, Bandung has high mobility with various transportation branches that reach the entire city. 5. Telecommunication and Technology Sector: Bandung is also known as the birthplace of Indonesia's leading technology and gaming startups. 6. Arts and Culture: The people of Bandung have always maintained the traditional culture that developed in the community, making it a center for modern art and culture. 7. Manufacturing Sector: Bandung is home to a variety of manufacturing industries, ranging from food, printing, textiles to national strategic industries. 8. Infrastructure and Housing: Infrastructure development and housing provision support economic growth in Bandung City. 9. Food and Beverages: Bandung is known as a culinary paradise with delicious food that can be found anywhere. 10. Fashion: Bandung is known as one of the fashion and craft centers, not only in Indonesia but also in Southeast Asia. not only in Indonesia but also in Southeast Asia. With unlimited potential, Bandung offers many opportunities for investors to participate in economic development and growth. Thus 10 potential sectors to invest in Bandung City, hopefully useful. SOURCE

Aug, 05 2024

Geological Agency Launches GeoRima App To Boost Investment

Bandung (ANTARA) - The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) launched the GeoRIMA (Geological Resources of Indonesia Multiplatform Application) application as a new breakthrough for investment in the mining sector. Head of the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Muhammad Wafid said that the application can provide information on the availability of mineral, coal, geothermal potential throughout Indonesia which aims to provide easy information for investors. "GeoRIMA is a breakthrough from us as public servants. This application will facilitate investors to mineral, coal and geothermal business actors summarized in the GeoRIMA application," Wafid said in Bandung on Monday. Wafid said the GeoRIMA application is expected to be a useful tool for the general public and investors in exploring and utilizing Indonesia's geological resources more effectively. "By being able to see freely on Android related to the ease with which information can be taken. Then if he is interested in where the potential is, oh I want to invest, it can be seen from there, it can be continued later to other processes," he said. He said the application offers various excellent features, including an interactive map showing the location of potential mineral, coal and geothermal resources. The public can also access geological data, exploration reports, and other technical information needed to make the right investment decisions through the georima.esdm.go.id page. "The ease of capturing data and information, information data is the beginning of investment. Without information on potential and so on, I am sure investors will not be interested," he said. Furthermore, Wafid revealed that the presence of the GeoRIMA application itself is in line with the duties and functions of the Geological Agency in organizing research, investigation, and services in the field of geological resources to geological disaster mitigation. "Mineral resources are one of Indonesia's strategic commodities. Its relatively significant and varied potential makes mineral resources in Indonesia have an important role in answering global issues," he said. SOURCE

Aug, 05 2024

Greater Bandung, Bandung City Government is Optimistic to Achieve Investment Target of IDR 7.2 Trillion

INILAHKORAN, Bandung - The Bandung City Government continues to boost economic growth. One of them is by attracting investment interest in the city of Bandung. In fact, to make it easier for investors to carry out activities and make investments, the Bandung City Government issued two special regional regulations, namely Regional Regulation Number 5/2022 concerning Spatial Planning and Regional Regulation Number 4/2022 concerning the Implementation of Capital Investment. "The Bandung City Regional Spatial Planning Regulation is the most important platform for providing investment certainty. Around December 2023 or January 2024, a detailed plan for the spatial planning regional regulation can be immediately established. This is the main means for the Bandung City Government to provide permits," said the Acting Mayor of Bandung. Bambang Tirtoyuliono, Tuesday 5 December 2023. According to him, certainty regarding regulations, incentives and disincentives provided by the Bandung City Government supports investment certainty. "Apart from that, there are 12 investment projects that we are offering to potential investors. Through this program we hope to increase investment interest in the city of Bandung. The value is around IDR 6 trillion. We are optimistic that the target of IDR 7.25 trillion can be achieved," he said. He added that the impact of growing investment in the city of Bandung has had a huge impact on the human development index (HDI). In 2022, the HDI in Bandung City will reach a value of 82.5. In 2023 the target is 83.05. Then, economic growth in the city of Bandung in 2022 will reach 5.41 percent. In 2023 the target is to reach 5.70 percent. "There are three HDI indicators, namely health, economy and education. I am optimistic about the results of our investment value and inflation conditions this year. In November, inflation in Bandung City was the lowest. This is the result of collaboration between all of us. This is one of the investment opportunity variables, " he said. Apart from that, with the increase in HDI and economic growth, Bambang said, more and more workers in Bandung City could be absorbed. This is a source to support investment in Bandung City. Meanwhile, Head of Bandung City DPMPTSP Ronny Ahmad Nurudin explained that BIS is an annual routine agenda to promote investment in Bandung City. BIS's main focus this year is to create a higher quality and more sustainable urban environment. Realized investment value in 2022 reached IDR 7.79 trillion from the target of IDR 6.65 trillion or 117.14 percent achieved. Meanwhile, in the third quarter of 2023, the realization reached IDR 6.3 trillion from the target of IDR 7.25 trillion or 87.12 percent achieved. Apart from that, DPMPTSP also gave appreciation to a number of foreign and domestic companies and stakeholders who contributed positively to the economy of investment projects in the city of Bandung. His party also gave appreciation to the three sub-districts which have the highest number of business identification numbers (NIB) through the Sakedap service (a platform for facilitating licensing). "In Sundanese it means a moment. So, within 10 minutes the NIB can be issued to MSME players," said Ronny Ahmad Nurudin. He added that the number of NIBs issued through the Sakedap service during 2023 was 1,569. With a total of 33,961 NIBs published from January-November 2023. So, in total since the implementation of the risk-based OSS in 2021, 73,881 NIBs have been issued "This achievement received appreciation from the West Java Provincial Government as the city with the most published NIBs," he said. Apart from that, the city of Bandung also became a corruption-free area (WBK) in 2019. Then, it was upgraded to a clean bureaucracy serving area (WBBM). "Only Bandung City has received this title. We also received an award as the organizer of the MPP in the Excellent category. Even though the Bandung City MPP is only one year old, it was inaugurated on August 23 2023," he said. In the BIS 2023 event, there are six investment categories that received appreciation. This category was won by several companies and stakeholders, including: 1. Foreign investment categories with the greatest level of compliance:- Kereta Cepat Indonesia China- PT Shell Indonesia - PT Mitshubishi Tanabe Farma Indonesia 2. Medium and large business investment categories with the greatest level of compliance:- PT Indisi- PT Mahkota Permata Perdana- PT Medikaloka Arcamanik 3. Small business domestic investment with the greatest level of compliance:- PT Asia Vaporindo Berjaya- PT Indosal Jaya Mandiri- PT Tanjung Cemerlang Shipping (SOURCE)

Dec, 08 2023

Participating in the 2024 CAEXPO Exhibition, the Ministry of Trade is Optimistic that Indonesia-China Trade and Investment will Increase

Jakarta, 18 September 2024 – Indonesia is ready to participate in the 21st annual China–ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) exhibition which will be held at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center (NICEC), Nanning, China. The physical exhibition will be held on 24-28 September 2024, while the online exhibition will be held from 24 September 2024 to 31 December 2024 via the CAEXPO online platform.Director General of National Export Development of the Indonesian Ministry of Trade, Mardyana Listyowati, responded positively to Indonesia's participation in the 21st CAEXPO. He said that the Indonesian Ministry of Trade was optimistic that Indonesia-China trade and investment would increase."This exhibition is a strategic forum to promote trade and investment, both for Indonesia and other ASEAN countries. "By attending CAEXPO 2024, we are optimistic that trade and investment cooperation between Indonesia and China will continue to increase," said Mardyana. Mardyana also said that this year marked the first time the exhibition was held for five days. Since it was first held in 2004, CAEXPO has been held for a maximum of four days.Director of Primary Product Export Development at the Indonesian Ministry of Trade, Miftah Farid, said that this year's 21st CAEXPO will expand Indonesia's participation in various sectors. Several sectors displayed at the CAEXPO exhibition can encourage Indonesian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to increase exports to the ASEAN and Chinese markets. “CAEXPO provides an important opportunity for Indonesian SMEs to connect with the Chinese market. "This can encourage an increase in Indonesian exports to China," said Miftah.CAEXPO is the result of an agreement at the 7th China–ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) Summit in 2003. This exhibition aims to promote trade in goods, investment cooperation, technology transfer, trade in services, industrial relations, as well as subregional cooperation between ASEAN and China. As a member of ASEAN, Indonesia regularly participates in this exhibition every year. Two Indonesian PavilionsAt this year's exhibition, Indonesia will display two pavilions. First, the Commodity Pavilion covering an area of 2,160 square meters in hall D4. The Commodity Pavilion will be attended by 100 booths displaying various potential Indonesian products, including food and beverages, fashion and accessories, furniture and home decoration, as well as daily necessities products.Second, the National Pavilion (City of Charm) covering an area of 160 square meters in hall B2. The National Pavilion will showcase the great potential of one of Indonesia's main commodities, namely palm oil, which is managed by the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS). Mardyana added, the National Pavilion will showcase the potential and benefits of palm oil, sustainability efforts, and its contribution to the national economy."As part of promoting the potential and sustainability of the Indonesian palm oil industry, this year the National Pavilion will showcase the potential and benefits of palm oil from BPDPKS. "Apart from introducing various high-value palm oil derivative products, we will also highlight sustainability efforts in this sector and the contribution of palm oil to the national economy," explained Mardyana. China is Indonesia's largest trading partner. In the last five years (2019-2023), trade between the two countries showed a positive trend of 19.12 percent with total trade in 2023 amounting to USD 127.81 billion. Total trade in this period consisted of total Indonesian exports to China amounting to USD 64.93 billion and total Indonesian imports from China amounting to USD 62.88 billion. Thus, Indonesia enjoyed a surplus of USD 2.05 billion. (SOURCE)

Oct, 01 2024

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