Province

Central Kalimantan

Central Kalimantan

Central Kalimantan, situated in the heart of Borneo island, is a province with Palangkaraya as its capital city. With a population of 2.75 million people in 2023, it stands as the least populous province on the island. The majority of this population identifies as Muslims. 

Central Kalimantan is notably home to the Dayak people, who possess a culture of unique traditions and customs with its subgroups of Ngaju, Ot Danum, and the Ma’anyan. Several ethnic groups from outside the island also live in the province, such as the Malay, Madurese, Sundanese, Balinese, Bugis, Batak, and Flores people. Additionally, Central Kalimantan’s culture is defined by its cuisine, which gained the recognition of the Tourism Ministry in 2023. The province’s notable dishes include fried lais fish, roasted catfish (patin), juhu rotan baung, kandas sarai, and jelawat soup.

North Kalimantan’s culture is also shaped by its history as a trading center, which has led to influences from Malay, Chinese, and Arab cultures. Subsequently, the province has drawn a considerable number of tourists, totaling 1.8 million in 2023, surpassing the initial target of 800,000.

Furthermore, the province boasts an abundance of natural wonders, including rainforests, rivers, and exotic wildlife. The world’s largest tropical rainforest lies in North Kalimantan, harboring an array of plant and animal species endemic to Borneo. Additionally, rivers such as the Kahayan and Kapuas rivers have functioned as lifelines for the local communities, providing transportation, irrigation, and sustaining livelihoods.

Show more

Economic development

Central Kalimantan is driven by various sectors that have contributed to its Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP). In 2023, the province’s GRDP was primarily driven by the agriculture, forestry, and fishery sector, with a contribution of Rp 23 trillion. This sector also experienced a growth rate of 4.41 percent in 2023 from 3.63 percent in 2022.

Following closely behind is the processing industry sector with a GRDP of Rp 17.9 trillion in 2023, and the mining sector with Rp 15.7 trillion. While the processing industry sector experienced a growth in its GRDP from Rp 16.9 trillion in 2022, the mining sector recorded a higher GRDP in 2022 with Rp 16.6 trillion.

Furthermore, recent investment trends in Central Kalimantan have shown positive growth, with investment realization in the province increasing by 32.44 percent in 2023 compared to the previous year. Initially, the Investment Ministry set a target of Rp 16.09 trillion for investments in the province, which was exceeded by Rp 19.10 trillion (118.74 percent) by the year’s end.

Foreign investment dominated the investment landscape in Central Kalimantan, amounting to Rp 10.32 trillion, while Rp 8.78 trillion originated from domestic investment sources. The agriculture and farming sector was recorded as the sector absorbing the highest investment, followed by the mining sector. Additionally, the growth in the food processing industry sector indicates that this sector could potentially become a leading sector for investment in the province.

Show more

Latest News

June 16, 2025

Central Kalimantan recorded investment realization reaching Rp7.16 trillion in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025, or a 72.04 percent year-on-year (yoy) surge according to Central Kalimantan Province Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Office (DPMPTSP) Head Sutoyo.

He added that the investment was comprised of Rp3.3 trillion of foreign investment and Rp3.86 trillion of domestic investment.

"Compared to the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024, investment realization grew significantly by 43.5 percent from Rp4.98 trillion," he said in an official statement quoted on Jun. 12, 2025.

Primary economic sectors are still the backbone of investment to the province, with Sutoyo explaining that mining recorded the most investment realization at Rp2.72 trillion. It is followed by the food crops, plantations, and livestock sector that was worth Rp2.59 trillion, and the food manufacturing sector with Rp980.73 billion.

For foreign investments, the food crops, plantations, and livestock sector leads with Rp1.76 trillion, followed by the food manufacturing sector with Rp894.79 billion, and mining with Rp525.61 billion.

Meanwhile for domestic investments, the mining sector leads with Rp2.2 trillion, followed by the food crops, plantations, and livestock sector with Rp825.43 billion, as well as the other services sector with Rp434.56 billion.

The Investment and Downstream Ministry/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) has set a fairly ambitious investmet target for Central Kalimantan in 2025 at Rp25.93 trillion.

Sutoyo is optimistic that the province could exceed the target based on what has already been achieved in Q1 2025, which has accounted for more than a quarter of said target.

Read more
Load more