Province

East Nusa Tenggara

Overview Economy

East Nusa Tenggara

East Nusa Tenggara is a province in Indonesia that encompasses a diverse landscape spread across numerous islands in the southern part of the archipelago. Covering an area of 46,452 square kilometers, the province comprises more than 500 islands, with the major ones being Flores, Sumba, and Timor, the largest island in the province.

Administratively, East Nusa Tenggara is divided into 21 regencies and one municipality, namely Kupang, which holds the title for the smallest area, spanning just 152.59 square kilometers, and serves as the capital city of the province. Given its island geography, accessing the capital requires various transportation modes. Land routes are utilized for regencies on Timor island, including Kupang Regency, South Central Timor, North Central Timor, Belu, Malaka, and Kupang City, while other areas rely on sea and/or air travel.

As of 2024, up to 5.6 million reside in the province, with this population primarily consisting of Christians and Catholics, followed by Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists. Additionally, several people in Sumba island also practice the indigenous belief of Marapu.

In terms of demographic makeup, East Nusa Tenggara is equally varied with diverse ethnic groups. This includes the dominant indigenous people of Atoni, Manggarai, Sumba, Solor, Ngada, Timor Leste, Rote, Lio, Alor, and Sawu, alongside Kalimantan, Javanese, Sulawesi, Bugis, West Nusa Tenggara, Papuan, Maluku, Chinese, Balinese, and Batak people.

Show more

East Nusa Tenggara’s economy

East Nusa Tenggara’s economy, based on its 2023 Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), experienced a growth of 3.52 percent compared to the previous year, achieving a total of Rp 75.2 billion.

The province’s economy relies heavily on the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector, which happens to be the largest contributor to the province’s GRDP with Rp 20.8 billion. The second most prominent economic sector in the province is the wholesale and repair trade, including the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, which contributed Rp 9.2 billion. Lastly, the construction sector is the third largest contributor to East Nusa Tenggara’s 2023 GRDP, with Rp 7.8 billion.

National strategic projects (PSNs) are also being developed in East Nusa Tenggara, which encompasses sectors such as ports, airports, and dams. In the port sector, the Labuan Bajo Multipurpose Terminal and the development of Kupang Port are underway in the province. Additionally, PSNs such as Komodo Labuan Bajo Airport, Mbay dam, Napun Gete dam, Temef dam, and Manikin dam, and the super-priority tourism destination development program (DPSP) in Labuan Bajo, are also underway.

Show more

Latest News

August 29, 2025

East Nusa Tenggara Governor Emanuel Melkiades "Melki" Laka Lena revealed on Aug. 16, 2025, ahead of Indonesian Independence Day that investments to East Nusa Tenggara Province reached Rp 2.19 trillion for the first half (H1) of 2025. The investment realization target set by the Indonesian government for East Nusa Tenggara is at Rp 4.69 trillion in 2025.

"Alhamdulillah, investments [to East Nusa Tenggara] in H1 2025 reached Rp 2.19 trillion, or 46.8 percent of the target. The figure consisted of Rp 772.6 billion in foreign investment and Rp 1.42 trillion in domestic investment," he explained.

Melki stated that investment is a crucial driver of East Nusa Tenggara's economic growth. Investment creates jobs, fosters new businesses, and ultimately reduces poverty in the province. He explained that 1,291 companies reported their investment activities through the online Investment Activity Report (LKPM). They employ 3,893 people across 8,353 projects.

"The five largest sectors driving investment are hotels and restaurants at Rp 658 billion, trade and repairs at Rp 429 billion, transportation, warehousing, and telecommunications at Rp 411 billion, construction at Rp 177 billion, as well as housing at Rp 119 billion," he explained.

To ensure public services support this growth, Melki said Public Service Malls have been launched in nine regencies and cities across East Nusa Tenggara.

"These are in Kupang City, Central South Timor, Belu, Malaka, Ngada, Sikka, West Manggarai, East Manggarai, and Lembata, so that business permits, important documents, and administrative services could be accessed quicker, easier, and more transparently," he elaborated.

The East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government is targeting the issuance of 5,000 business permits by 2025.

"Alhamdulillah we have reached 3,434 permits or 68.68% of the annual target as of June [2025]. This exceeds the 58 percent target set for July. Of that number, 3,197 permits were issued through the front office and 234 permits through the OSS-RBA (Online Single Submission Risk Based Approach)," explained Melki.

The provincial government has also issued 2,778 standard certificates and 11,557 business identification numbers (NIB) for enterprises through OSS-RBA.

"They consisted of 11,511 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and 46 non-MSMEs. This is a real step towards expanding business opportunities throughout East Nusa Tenggara," Melki continued.

The governor also promised to continue promoting investment facilitation by simplifying bureaucracy in issuing permits and implementing a proactive strategy.

"East Nusa Tenggara needs to demonstrate that it is a region that can become a future investment destination in Eastern Indonesia," Melki emphasized.

Read more
August 21, 2025
August 14, 2025
June 26, 2025
May 28, 2025
May 21, 2025
April 23, 2025
April 11, 2025
March 28, 2025
Load more