Province

Maluku

Overview Economy

Maluku – Maluku

Maluku is a provincial territory encompassing the southern region of the Maluku Islands in Indonesia. It covers an area of 46,150 square kilometers, with only about 7.6 percent of the province's surface being land, while the remaining 92.4 percent consists of sea. To the north, Maluku is bordered by the Seram Sea, while the Indian Ocean and Arafura Sea lie to the south, Papua to the east, and Sulawesi to the west. Ambon, the largest city in the province, also serves as its capital and administrative center. Maluku’s administrative area is divided into nine districts and two cities.

Before its establishment as a separate province in 1999, the Maluku Islands constituted a unified province within Indonesia. However, a division occurred that year, separating the northern region, including the North Maluku regency, Central Halmahera regency, and the city of Ternate, to establish the distinct province of North Maluku

The province boasts a population of 1.9 million people and presents a diverse community. The majority of the population consists of indigenous Maluku locals from various tribes such as Alifuru, Ambon, Buru, Kei, and Tanimbar. Maluku’s religious landscape is dominated by Muslims at 52.70 percent of the population, followed by Christians at 39.58 percent, and Catholics at 6.87 percent. Other religions make up less than 1 percent of the population.

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Economic Description

As of the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2023, Maluku’s economy thrived with Rp 8 trillion in Gross Domestic Regional Product (GRDP). The province’s economic landscape is primarily driven by the agriculture and fisheries sector, which contributed Rp 2 trillion to the GRDP. Transportation also plays a significant role in the region's leading sectors, with a contribution of Rp 403 billion.

Additionally, apart from agriculture, fisheries, and transportation, two other significant contributors to Maluku’s Q4 GRDP are the government administration, contributing Rp 1.8 trillion, and the wholesale and retail trade sector, including car and motorcycle repairs, which contributed Rp 1.2 trillion.

The province’s agriculture sector is led by the production of coconuts at 107,776 tonnes, followed by cloves at 21,435 tonnes, and cocoa at 8,287 tonnes. Meanwhile, Maluku’s fisheries sector is most well-known for its catch in tuna and skipjack, with capture fisheries contributing around 52,865 tonnes of tuna and 38,759 tonnes of skipjack as of 2022. Additionally, there is significant market potential for grouper and shrimp cultivation, seaweed cultivation, the seaweed processing industry, as well as the preserving and processing industry for tuna and skipjack fishery products.

Regarding the transportation sector, there is a market potential for sea, air, and land transport. As Maluku is an archipelago with 1,340 islands, air transport activity is increasing along with the province’s economic activity. Currently, Maluku boasts 64 ports; however, a strategic expansion plan is necessary to optimize its maritime capabilities.

Furthermore, Maluku presents several investment opportunities focusing on tourism such as the Rhun Island Breda Pala Resort, and in the agro-industry such as integrated capture fisheries and processing. Additionally, the province has several national strategic projects (PSN), including the Ambon New Port, and the Way Apu Dam.

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Latest News

July 15, 2025

The Maluku Provincial Government and the National Development Planning (PPN) Ministry/National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) is planning the development of an industrial area for the Masela oil and gas block.

"The development of an industrial area around the Masela Block is a strategic priority to drive economic growth in Maluku," said Maluku Governor Hendrik Lewerissa in a written statement received in Ambon City, Maluku by ANTARA on July 5, 2025.

The governor met with PPN Minister Rachmat Pambudy, ex-officio head of Bappenas, in Jakarta Special Capital Region (DKI) to encourage accelerated implementation of National Strategic Projects (PSNs), including the Masela Block. During that occasion, Lewerissa presented the development plan for an industrial area integrated with the Masela Block and the results of Maluku's previous coordination with the Housing and Settlement Areas Ministry and the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry.

One of the main focuses currently being pursued by the Maluku Provincial Government is aligning central and regional development planning through the integration of the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) and the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD) so the development of the Masela Block industrial area could receive full regulatory and financing support.

The Maluku Provincial Government is also preparing land and basic infrastructure to support the integrated industrial area, which will become a hub for the development of the downstream industry for natural gas (natgas), and other downstream industries.

Furthermore, Bappenas is pushing for accelerated permitting, land acquisition, and environmental document preparation to ensure the project's development process is free from administrative delays.

Support for the project is also being expanded through the involvement of the private sector and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) to open up investment opportunities in various related sectors such as liquefied natgas (LNG), petrochemicals, and logistics.

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