Province

Banten

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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Latest News

October 2, 2025

The Seren Taun Kasepuhan Cisungsang traditional cultural event was held again in Kasepuhan Cisungsang, Cibeber District, Lebak Regency, Banten Province on Sep. 28, 2025.

Banten Governor Andra Soni participated in the sacred Ngimahkeun Pare ka Leuit Adat procession, a ritual of bringing rice into the leuit, the traditional Sundanese and Kanekes rice granary, as a symbol of maintaining food security.

The Governor's arrival was welcomed by the Kasepuhan Cisungsang Traditional Leader Abah Usep Suyatma, who donned a traditional Cisungsang headband.

The procession then began with a group transporting the rice using rengkong, a bamboo tool which is also a serves as a musical instrument, accompanied by angklung buhun, a type of Sundanese percussion made from bamboo that is traditional to the Kanekes people of Bantne.

A rajah, a written talisman, containing prayers for safety and hymns containing life lessons for the indigenous community was read aloud before the paraded rice was stored in the leuit.

Afterward, Grandma Nariyah, the guardian of the traditional leuit, climbed the ladder carrying the first sheaf of rice and placed it through the small door of the granary.

The ceremony continued with the participation of Governor Andra Soni, Lebak Regent Mochamad Hasbi Asyidiki Jayabaya, and the 064 Maulana Yusuf Military Resort Commander Brig. Gen. Edi Saputra. This was a first-of-its-kind experience for the Banten Governor.

"Alhamdulillah, this is my first time attending the Seren Taun Kasepuhan Cisungsang. I have only been inside the leuit and been among the rice paddies once. This [occasion] is the local wisdom of Kasepuhan Cisungsang for food security," he said.

The event continued with a Seren Taun Workshop at the Imah Gede Hall of Kasepuhan Cisungsang. This year, Seren Taun Cisungsang was listed as one of the 110 cultural festivals listed in Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) 2025 by the Tourism Ministry.

The inclusion of Seren Taun Kasepuhan Cisungsang on the KEN list is expected to boost tourist visits, stimulate the local economy, and create new jobs.

Furthermore, the event is expected to have a positive impact on social, cultural, and environmental matters through inclusive and sustainable development.

The celebration for Seren Taun Kasepuhan Cisungsang 2025 also featured a variety of traditional arts, such as wayang golek wooden puppet performances, the jaipong dance, the rampak bedug performances using traditional Indonesian bedug drums.

In addition, there was a night market featuring various toys and exhibitions of micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) products. These attractions serve as an added draw for tourists.

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