Investment Deputy Minister visits Palu City, appraises SEZ

Investment and Downstream Deputy Minister/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Deputy Head Todotua Pasaribu conducted a work visit to Palu City, Central Sulawesi Province on Apr. 17, 2025 for a meeting with Central Sulawesi Governor Anwar Hafid that has 'Developing Investment Potential in Central Sulawesi,' as its agenda.

Afterwards, the deputy minister attended the 2025 Investment Realization Target Consolidation Meeting with regional government officials, including the heads of the Investment and One-Stop Integrated Service Offices (DPMPTSP) throughout the province. In addition, Todotua also visited to the Palu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) as part of an evaluation of infrastructure readiness and the potential for sustainable investment development in the area.

Todotua stated that the government is aiming for 8 percent national economic growth and realized investments targeted to reach Rp13.03 quadrillion by 2029. Of that figure, 86.65 percent is expected to come from private investments, with regional governments playing an important role in attracting direct investment.

"Central Sulawesi Province has shown extraordinary performance with investment realization of Rp139.88 trillion in 2024, exceeding its target by 128.27 percent and ranking second nationally in foreign investment," he added.

The largest contribution to the province's investment ralization came from the basic metal, chemical, pharmaceutical, mining, and industrial estate sectors. Morowali Regency is the main contributing region to investment realization through the development of nickel downstream industry and the electric vehicle battery ecosystem in the region. For 2025, the Central Sulawesi investment target was increased to Rp162.57 trillion, or 8.53 percent of the national target.

During the visit to the Palu SEz, Deputy Minister Todotua directly reviewed several companies engaged in the downstream sector, especially for the Buton asphalt and copper commodities, as well as the plantation sector for the pine resin commodity.

The companies are solid, liquid, and gas fuel wholesale trade company PT Asbuton Jaya Abadi with an investment value of Rp55.7 billion; pine resin processing company PT Hong Thai Internasional with an investment value of Rp26.15 billion; and copper smelting company PT Wanhong Nonferrous Recycling Utilization with an investment value of Rp296.2 billion.

"Investments are not just about numbers [in terms of profits and taxation], but also [about] their real impact on society, such as employment, economic equality, and welfare," said Todotua.

The work visit is an Indonesian government initiative to ensure the smoothness and sustainability of investment to the strategic area.

"We invite all stakeholders to make Central Sulawesi a model for investment synergy between the government, private sector, and society," Todotua concluded.

Central Sulawesi is expected to continue to be a driving force for national investment, while strengthening its contribution to driving inclusive and sustainable Indonesian economic growth.