Province

Gorontalo

Gorontalo

Located on the Minahasa Peninsula, Gorontalo is a province that was formerly part of the North Sulawesi province until it was separated on December 5, 2000. Covering 12,025 square kilometers of land area, Gorontalo’s administrative region is divided into five regencies: Boalemo, Bolango, North Gorontalo, and Pohuato. The province is also home to one municipality, Gorontalo, which also serves as the province’s capital city.

Based on data from the Gorontalo Central Statistics Agency (BPS), as of 2022, Gorontalo has a population of 1.1 million people. Based on religious groups, the majority of residents in the province are Muslim, followed by Christians, Hindus, Catholics, Buddhists, and others. Regarding ethnic groups, the majority are Gorontaloan people who spread from North Sulawesi in the east towards Central Sulawesi in the west. Additionally, there are the Sama-Bajau people, sea nomads originating from the Southern Philippines, who reside in villages along the coast of Gorontalo. Other ethnic groups in Gorontalo are mostly people who migrated from other parts of Indonesia, such as the Javanese and Bugis people.

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Gorontalo’s economy

In 2023, the Gorontalo Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded the province’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) at Rp 31.6 billion. The largest contributing sector to the GRDP data is the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector, which contributed Rp 11.3 billion. The next two sectors which significantly contribute to Gorontalo’s GRDP are the wholesale and retail trade sector, including the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, with Rp 4.1 billion, and the construction sector with Rp 3.4 billion.

In terms of exports, Gorontalo’s export value in 2024 amounts to US$55.1 million. The Philippines is listed as the province’s main export destination with an export value of US$19.8 million or approximately 36.01 percent of the total export value. Based on commodities, Gorontalo mostly exports corn with a Free on Board (FOB) value of US$17.8 million. Additionally, the province exports wood and wooden goods with a FOB value of US$14.6 million and US$14.5 million worth of fruits and nuts.

Gorontalo also has a national strategic project (PSN) being developed in the area, namely the Bulango Ulu dam.

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Latest News

September 9, 2025

Pohuwato Deputy Regent Iwan S. Adam and Pohuwato Regency Regional Secretary Iskandar Datau received a visit from Japanese consultants to discuss the development of the regency's wood pellet potential. The meeting took place at the Regent's Official Residence on Aug. 21, 2025.

In his remarks, Iwan expressed his appreciation for the visit and emphasized the importance of collaboration with external parties, including Japanese consultants, in encouraging the growth of Pohuwato Regency's industrial sector.

"This meeting is very important because it can open up opportunities for collaboration that will have a significant impact on the future of Pohuwato, especially in the development of renewable energy," he added.

Iwan also explained that he was representing Pohuwato Regent Saipul A. Mbuinga, who was on an out-of-town assignment, and expected that the Saipul's absence would not diminish the significance and seriousness of the visit.

"The regent is currently attending an important agenda outside the region, and I have been entrusted to welcome the Japanese guests in person. We greatly appreciate this visit," the Deputy Regent continued.

Iwan stated that Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo Province has many potential industries that can be developed beyond wood pellets, such as gold mining, fisheries, oil palm plantations, cocoa, and the agriculture sector as a whole

"It is possible that our Japanese guests could open the door for other investors. Cocoa from Pohuwato has even been exported to Japan. I hope your presence here brings blessings and sustainable cooperation," he said to the Japanese delegation.

Meanwhile, Samuel, who represented wood pellet producer PT Biomass Jaya Abadi (BJA), introduced the Japanese team in attendance. He explained that their team focuses on the biomass sector, specifically wood pellet development, and is currently conducting a study on the project's environmental, social, and economic impacts.

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