Province

Central Papua

Papua – Central Papua

Central Papua, a province located in eastern Indonesia, is a new province that was split from Papua province on June 30, 2022, based on Law No. 15/2022 and Law No. 16/2022. The province is bordered by the districts of Waropen, Mamberamo Raya, and Cendrawasih Bay to the north. To the east, it is bordered by Lanny Jaya, Nduka, Tolikara, and Asmat districts; to the south lies the Arafuru Sea; and to the west are Kaimana district and Wondama Bay.

Central Papua Province encompasses a land area of 66,129 square kilometers, with the Nabire regency serving as the province’s central hub, acting as both the capital city and the administrative center. The province has a population of 1.3 million people.

The population of this province reflects a diverse religious landscape. Christians make up the largest share at 68.59 percent, followed by Catholics at 19.01 percent. Islam is practiced by 12.26 percent of the population, while Hindus and Buddhists form a very small minority, accounting for 0.07 percent and 0.03 percent, respectively. The remaining 0.04 percent adhere to other faiths.

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Economic Description

Despite its recent establishment as a province, Central Papua boasts a promising economic outlook. In 2023, the province achieved a Gross Domestic Regional Product (GRDP) of Rp 101.6 trillion, with the mining and quarrying sector emerging as the primary driver of the region’s economic activity with a GRDP of Rp 78.3 trillion. This sector's dominance highlights the region's rich natural resources and their importance in driving economic growth.

The creation of the new autonomous regions of Central Papua, as well as South Papua, and Highland Papua, has led to a change in how local people make a living. As Central Papua was once part of Papua province, their commodities are very similar. Just like Papua province, Central Papua is now relying more on fishing and maritime activities, having previously mainly relied on gold mining. This is evidenced by the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector closely following the mining sector, making a notable contribution of Rp 6.16 trillion.

Lastly, the construction sector contributes around Rp 5.2 trillion to Central Papua’s GRDP. Due to its recent establishment, there is significant market potential for construction in this province. Furthermore, infrastructure development efforts on the island of Papua have been geared towards benefiting both the general population and commercial enterprises. Consequently, it has become increasingly crucial to continually enhance the province’s infrastructure to support the overall infrastructure development of the island.

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Latest News

September 16, 2024

Mimika Regency Food Crops, Horticulture, and Plantation Office (Distanbun) is developing oil palm cultivation over 7,000 hectares (ha) of land in Kiyura Village, West Mimika District, Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province.

"The area for ​​oil palm plantation is more than 7,000 ha in Kiyura Village within West Mimika District. The crude [palm] oil (CPO) factory is also there and will be inaugurated in June or July 2025," Mimika Distanbun Head Alice Wanma explained to the media in New Mimika District, Mimika Regency, Central Papua on Aug. 18, 2024.

She noted that palm oil has many benefits, namely as cooking oil, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, textiles, paper, bioenergy and others.

"In addition to the oil palm plantation, we also have a factory to be able to process our own crude palm oil in Mimika," Alice elaborated.

She explained that crude palm oil is also useful as biofuel, which can be used to generate electricity.

"We hope that this oil palm plantation could operate well and provide a [positive] economic impact for the people of Kiyura Village," Alice said.

She added that the Mimika Distanbun had visited the oil palm plantation in Kiyura Village.

"The plantation manager also prioritizes indigenous Papuans (OAP) who work in the area so that they [themselves] could directly provide an economic impact to the local community," Alice revealed.

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