South Sulawesi launches SSIC 2025 to drive economic growth

South Sulawesi Governor Andi Sudirman Sulaiman launched the South Sulawesi Investment Challenge (SSIC) 2025 event, on Apr. 22, 2025, while also announcing the formation of a special team for investment promotion. Those actions are part of South Sulawesi's efforts to encourage the creation of local conglomerates that could drive regional economic growth.

The launching of SSIC 2025 at the South Sulawesi Governor's Office in Makassar City, South Sulawesi was also attended by South Sulawesi Regional Secretary Jufri Rahman, Bank Indonesia (BI) South Sulawesi Representative Office Head Rizki Ernadi Wimanda, and several mayors and regents of South Sulawesi.

"If everyone agrees to invest, we can realize the President's direction to create local conglomerates," said Andi Sudirman.

He also emphasized the importance of cross-sector synergy and collaboration between the government, the private sector, and the people. Andi said that the Greater Luwu region is among those that will be used to drive for investment growth, in Greater Luwu's case due to its great mining sector potential. The new investment promotion team is tasked to work intensively to oversee investment ideas, both from the private sector and the government, and help bring together potential investors.

"We will formulate the implementation, and this team will be equipped with a special desk to filter and promote the best investment ideas," Andi explained.

Several leading sectors that are the focus of development in South Sulawesi include the green economy, renewable energy mining, batteries, mass transportation, and integrated industrial areas. On top of pursuing growth, the South Sulawesi Provincial Government also wants to ensure that the benefits of investment are felt by the people at large.

"No less important is food sovereignty. The majority of our people are farmers and fishermen, so the government must be present to ensure that they are not left behind," noted Andi.