Banten
Banten is a province located in the western region of the island of Java, with Serang as its capital city. Previously, Banten was part of the West Java province, but it became a province of its own following the promulgation of Law No. 23/2000.
The province’s geostrategic position provides it with easy access to resources, markets, and services, making Banten a vital buffer zone for the national capital, Jakarta. Jakarta serves as the heart of the country’s government and economy and Banten’s proximity enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of various services and investment-related matters associated with the capital.
As a crucial link between the islands of Java and Sumatra, where most of Indonesia’s population is concentrated, Banten covers an area of 9,662.9 square kilometers. As of 2023, Banten has a population of 12.3 million people, with the majority residing in Tangerang regency. Various ethnic groups call Banten home, such as the Bantenese Sundanese, who inhabit the southern part of Serang, Pandeglang, Lebak, and most parts of the Tangerang regency. Additionally, the Baduy people reside in the province’s Kendeng and Leuwidamar Mountains in Lebak. Other ethnic groups in Banten include the Sundanese Priangan, Javanese, Betawi, Chinese, Batak, Minangkabau, and Malay, as well as people from Lampung, South Sumatra, Cirebon, and various other regions.
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Banten’s economy and leading sectors
According to data by the Banten Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Banten’s economy in 2023, calculated based on the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GDRP) at constant prices, reached Rp 507 trillion, marking a 4.81 percent growth from the previous year.
The top three leading sectors driving the province’s economy are the transportation and warehousing sector, experiencing a significant growth of 12.44 percent, followed by other service activities with a 9.38 percent growth rate, and the provision of accommodation, food, and drinks with an 8.43 percent growth. Meanwhile, regarding expenditure, the province saw its total net export component experience the highest growth in 2023, reaching 19.35 percent.
The government has developed a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Pandeglang, Banten, called KEK Tanjung Lesung. Inaugurated in February 2015, it is the first tourism-oriented SEZ and covers an area of 1,500 hectares. Located 2-3 hours away from Jakarta, KEK Tanjung Lesung has diverse tourism potential and is close to other tourist attractions in the province, such as Banten’s old town area, the Badui and Debus culture, Ujung Kulon National Park, and Mount Krakatau. The KEK is projected to attract investments of Rp 92.4 trillion and create job opportunities for 85,000 workers by 2025.
Recently, the Banten provincial government has offered various investment opportunities aimed at boosting the realization of investments targeted by the central government, amounting to Rp 82.97 trillion. The opportunities include the development of the Banten Nature Reserve Park (Tahura Banten), Banten Sports Centre, and the Sindangheula and Karian Dams.
So far, Banten’s investment realization during the 2023 period has seen significant increases. Data from the Investment Ministry shows that the province has successfully attracted investments worth Rp 103.855 trillion, representing a 29.46 percent increase compared to the realization in 2022, which amounted to Rp 80.22 trillion.
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