Province

Central Kalimantan

Overview Economy

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.

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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.

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Latest News

July 14, 2025

Central Kalimantan Governor Agustiar Sabran hosted Turkish Senator Serkan Bayram and a group of businesspeople from Türkiye at the Isen Mulang Palace in Palangka Raya City, Central Kalimantan on June 14, 2025.

Agustiar promoted the province's potential investment areas which are considered highly promising for bilateral cooperation, ranging from plantations and education to tourism.

"We have vast and fertile land, supported by a favorable climate for investment in palm oil, rubber, coconut, and cocoa. Furthermore, the tourism and creative economy sectors are also very open for development," the governor stated.

Central Kalimantan spans over 153,000 square kilometers (km2), making it the largest province in Indonesia. With its wealth of natural resources and cultural diversity preserved through the values of Huma Betang, the Dayak people's philosophy, Agustiar believed that Central Kalimantan has its own competitive edge in the eyes of international investors.

In addition to exploring direct investment, cooperation in the education sector was also discussed. Agustiar hoped that there will be opportunities for scholarships and student exchanges between Central Kalimantan and Türkiye, which has a long history in education and technology.

"We believe that regional diplomacy like this will pave a more concrete path for long-term cooperation. Türkiye and Indonesia share the same passion for building a future based on prosperity," he added.

Meanwhile, Senator Serkan Bayram expressed his interest in the proposed cooperation. He stated that the visit to Palangka Raya City was a follow-up to the recent meeting between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

"I am here to explore what we can do together. I see tremendous potential in this region. We hope that trade, defense, and socio-cultural relations can be strengthened," he said.

Bayram also brought a message of peace from Turkey. He even planned to screen a documentary about peace in Palangka Raya City on June 15, 2025.

"We believe that Palangka Raya can become a symbol of peace among nations," he said, to applause from the meeting's participants.

During the event, the Central Kalimantan Provincial Government introduced the province's traditional icons as a form of cultural respect to the guests from 

The Turkish delegation received local lily garlands (lamiang) from Agustiar and Central Kalimantan Vice Governor Edy Pratowo as a traditional symbol to welcome guests. In return, Bayram presented his autobiography as a souvenir.

Also present at the event were other members of the Central Kalimantan Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), Acting Central Kalimantan Regional Secretary Leonard S. Ampung, heads of regional government offices, members of the Central Kalimantan Regional Legislative Council (DPRD), and other figures from mass organizations and political parties.

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