Province

Highland Papua

Overview Economy

Papua – Highland Papua

Highland Papua is one of Indonesia’s most recent provinces, formed on June 30, 2022, under Law No. 16/2022, resulting from the partition of Papua province. Situated in the eastern section of the Jayawijaya Mountains, the country’s tallest mountain range, the province is bordered by Mamberamo Raya, Sarmi, Jayapura, and Keerom regencies to the north and Papua New Guinea to the east. To the south, it is bordered by Boven Digoel and Asmat regencies, while to the west, it shares borders with Puncak Jaya, Puncak, and Mimika regencies.

Boasting a land area of 108,476 square kilometers with a population of 1.4 million people, Highland Papua’s provincial capital is Wamena City, with its administrative hub located within Jayawijaya regency. The province comprises eight regencies: Jayawijaya, Lanny Jaya, Central Mamberamo, Nduga, Pegunungan Bintang, Tolikara, Yalimo, and Yahukimo.

Out of its population, followers of various faiths are represented, with the majority identifying as Christians (90.29 percent), followed by Catholics (7.61 percent), Muslims (1.92 percent), followers of indigenous beliefs (0.15 percent), and followers of other religions (0.03 percent).

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Economic

In 2023, Highland Papua's Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) stood at Rp 13.3 trillion, with no dominant sector emerging due to its status as a nascent province. In the previous year, the province’s economic growth was noted at 3.05 percent.

Amidst this economic landscape, Highland Papua's commodities play a pivotal role in shaping its emerging market dynamics. Coffee from Wamena serves as the flagship commodity of Highland Papua, complemented by a diverse range of agricultural products including sweet potato, red fruit, onion, agarwood, rubber, pineapple, and orange.

Particularly in the province’s regency of Jayawijaya, the potential for coffee cultivation is notably high, with coffee being their primary commodity. Around 120 tonnes of coffee are produced in this region. However, despite this high production, several districts within Highland Papua are facing grievances from coffee farmers regarding their inability to enhance the quality of their Arabica coffee yields.

Additionally, since the province is quite new, the Highland Papua provincial government is actively fostering the creative economy of Indigenous Papuans (OAP) by utilizing special autonomy funds. This strategic initiative aims to empower local economic actors, enabling them to compete effectively alongside other business entities. Through sustained support and investment, Highland Papua seeks to nurture indigenous entrepreneurship and bolster economic diversity, laying a solid foundation for sustainable development and inclusive growth in the province.

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Latest News

October 23, 2024

Highland Papua Region National Handicrafts Council (Dekranasda) has once again exhibited leading products from Highland Papua Province in the KriyaNusa exhibition, this time for Kriyanusa 2024 at at the Jakarta Convention Center. 

"Kriyanusa is a promotional event that is part of efforts to improve the marketing quality and reach [of local crafts]." Highland Papua Dekranasda Acting Chair Herwin Wanggai stated while attending KriyaNusa 2024's opening on Aug. 30, 2024.

She added that KriyaNusa 2024's theme is "Young Craftspeople Preserve Cultural Heritage.'"Hence, the exhibition focuses on elevating young craftspeople. The Highland Papua's stand enlivened KriyaNusa this year by exhibiting the province's leading crafts, such as noken, rattan products, kurulu flowers, and accessories made from noken materials.

"We focus on local crafts from Highland Papua produced by our women," Herwin informed.

She also noted that Highland Papua could be better known, and its products will continue to be in demand by the Indonesian people, through its participation in events like KriyaNusa. In addition, the Highland Papua Dekranasda provides product assistance to groups of craftswomen in the province.

"The arts and crafts of various regions of Indonesia that are inherited [by respective cultures] not only reflect beauty and skill, but also the values ​​and identity of the nation," Herwin said.

"The 'Young Craftspeople Preserve Cultural Heritage' theme [for KriyaNusa 2024] is a reflection of Dekranas (National Handicrafts Council)'s [mission] to pass on ancestral traditions as heritage for the younger generations. The exhibition provides opportunities for Indonesian creative industry products, especially those from Highland Papua, to compete at the national and international stage." she concluded.

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