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.

Show more

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.

Show more

Latest News

January 22, 2026

East Seram Regency Agriculture Office Head Sofyan Waraiya stated that PT Spice Island Maluku (PT SIM) is targeting an abacá banana investment in the regency of Maluku Province. He added that the land is located in the districts of Bula and West Bula.

"Of the accumulated total, around 3,500 hectares (ha) are targeted for abacá banana investment. Polygon mapping will be conducted to ensure that the core area is outside of community-owned land," Sofyan told reporters on Jan. 15, 2026.

He emphasized that this step is being taken to ensure that abacá banana development does not conflict with other plantation or food crops already managed by the local community. Sofyan revealed that the core land PT SIM is targeting to acquire encompass about 1,000 to 3,000 ha. A direct field visit and survey were conducted to follow up the selection on Jan. 14, 2025.

"The field visit involved all village heads, saniri (traditional cultural community authority), hamlet heads, and traditional leaders. The goal was to ensure that the land was not owned by individuals and that priority would be given to state or customary land," Sofyan explained.

The company is also preparing the required permits. Sofyan elucidated that, based on discussions with PT SIM Field Manager Eko, the company's investment activities are targeted to begin by June 2026.

"The most important document is how PT SIM can gain official land-use rights (HGU) on this land, including the preparation of around six to ten ha of land for [plant] nurseries," he explained.

In addition, Sofyan said that the plant nursery location will be selected with consideration to environmental carrying capacity, particularly the availability of water sources near the area.

"The nursery must be close to a water source. That's what we're still investigating and confirming," he concluded.

Read more
November 3, 2025
September 11, 2025
July 15, 2025
June 18, 2025
May 22, 2025
April 25, 2025
April 9, 2025
March 21, 2025
Load more