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.

Show more

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.

Show more

Latest News

June 9, 2025

The annual Gebrag Ngadu Bedug tradition is being held again at Pandeglang Square in Pandeglang Regency, Banten Province on June 7-9, 2025. This activity is one of the local community's cultural agendas to welcome and celebrate Idul Adha, as well as a means of fostering friendship between villages in the area.

This year, Gebrag Ngadu Bedug is listed as one of the leading programs in the 2025 Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) calendar of cultural festivals managed by the Tourism Ministry. The festival's inclusion in KEN 2025 shows national recognition of its cultural values ​​and tourism potential.

Pandeglang Regent Raden Dewi Setiani stated that preserving tradition through Gebrag Ngadu Bedug is expected to strengthen regional cultural identity and support an increase in tourist visits to Pandeglang Regency.

"Gebrag Ngadu Bedug is not just a show, but a symbol of the spirit of preserving and reviving Pandeglang's unique cultural heritage," she said on Jun. 5, 2025.

Dewi added that Gebrag Ngadu Bedug 2025 will be enlivened by various cultural activities, including the Cultural Parade, Bedug Making Workshop, "Tilinglit" Drum Pattern Creation, Saung Tagog Decoration Competition, and the Business Matching forum.

"This tradition is not just entertainment, but also our cultural heritage. Therefore, we should protect and preserve our proud culture," said the regent.

The festival features participants from various villages who perform traditional songs while beating bedugs, large double-headed drum with the ends made of cow or domesticated water buffalo leather, as the main musical instrument. At least 20 villages are taking part in the Gebrag Ngadu Bedug 2025 competition.

Gebrag Ngadu Bedug is a cultural heritage that has been deeply rooted in the Pandeglang community since the 1950s. This competition is also a collective expression of the local community that combines elements of traditional music, togetherness, and local cultural wealth.

Read more
Load more