Province

Riau

Overview Economy

Riau, the homeland of the Malay people

Tucked away on Sumatra's eastern shore, Riau is a province home to around 7.18 people, as of 2022. The province stands as a symbol of Indonesia’s rich cultural diversity, natural resources, and vibrant economy. Its varied landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and blend of cultures have positioned the province as a region of significant environmental and economic contributions to the country.

Rich plains, coastal regions, and rainforests form the varied topography of Riau, with the region’s abundance increased by numerous rivers, such as the Siak and Indragiri rivers. Moreover, a diverse range of flora and fauna, including endangered species such as the Sumatran tiger, orangutan, and Riau peacock, may be found in the province’s tropical rainforests.

Riau’s natural environment offers a variety of tourist destinations. Examples include Ulu Kasok in Kampar, dubbed the “Raja Ampat of Kampar” for its natural beauty; Jemur Island, which is home to groups of islands serving as the natural habitat of several turtle species; and the Kampar River, which attracts surfers worldwide with its unique waves.

Furthermore, Riau boasts historical sites with distinct religious backgrounds, such as the Muara Takus temple, Agung An-Nur Mosque, and the Siak Sri Indrapura Palace. Historically, Riau has also served as a hub of exchange and trade, with commercial routes crossing the province. This historical aspect is reflected in Riau’s multiculturalism, with its diverse ethnic groups such as the Chinese, Minangkabau, and Malay communities adding to the province’s cultural tapestry.

Show more

Economic sector

Due to its strategic location along the Malacca Strait, Riau is well-positioned to facilitate investment and commerce, acting as a gateway to global trade routes. The province benefits from access to road, air, and sea transportation networks. Notably, Pekanbaru and Dumai ports are important hubs for the export of goods such as rubber, lumber, and palm oil. Furthermore, the province's growing infrastructure, including airports, industrial zones, and highways, enhances its appeal to investors and business owners.

Nationally, Riau is renowned for its production of rubber, timber harvesting, and oil and gas extraction, all of which significantly impact Indonesia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and export revenues. The province also significantly contributes to the country's forestry and palm oil industries, as well as the oil and gas industry, hosting substantial extraction and refining facilities.

Riau’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) reached Rp 506.4 trillion in 2021 and increased to Rp 529.5 trillion in 2022. Mining emerged as the largest contributor to Riau’s GRDP in 2021 and 2022, accounting for 34.20 percent and 36.62 percent of the total, respectively. The processing industry followed closely at 9.14 percent in 2021 and 10.03 percent in 2022. Additionally, the transportation and warehousing industry, as well as the finance and insurance industries, form part of significant contributors to Riau's GRDP.

Moreover, Riau has made significant efforts in expanding investments. For example, between January and June 2023, the province successfully secured Rp 49.1 trillion from both local and foreign investment sources, marking a 10.6 percent increase from the previous year.

Show more

Latest News

January 2, 2025

With “Culture Paradise” as its theme, the 2024 Rupat Festival combines marine tourism with both traditional and pop culture. As an area with great tourism potential, this festival aims to further popularize Rupat Island in Bengkalis Regency, Riau Province - already an increasingly popular tourist destination because of its natural beauty.

Rupat Festival 2024 presents various activities to introduce the island's charm to visitors, such as traditional Malay dances that are part of Rupat's cultural roots.

In addition, the festival also organizes tours to several beaches on Rupat Island to promote its natural beauty, such as the Pesona Teluk Rhu Beach which is famous for its white sand. The activity aims to open up greater tourism opportunities to these beaches.

The 2024 Rupat Festival also holds a traditional arts exhibition to support the development of Rupat's micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The products on display include traditional food, handicrafts, and traditional clothing.

As part of its promotion, this festival also holds a 10K running competition that attracts many participants from various regions. The route provided is designed to highlight the natural beauty of Rupat Island.

In addition, the 2024 Rupat Festival has fashion shows, cultural arts performances, and art performances that captivate visitors. There are also competitions held by traditional communities, local music performances, and theater.

The 2024 Rupat Festival is part of the 110 events included in the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) agenda, a strategic program of the Tourism Ministry to promote Indonesia's tourist destinations to both domestic and foreign audiences.

The Rupat Festival is expected to introduce the beauty of tourism to Rupat Island and boost the local community's economy through the tourism and creative economy sectors.

Rupat Island could be reached by sea crossing from Roro Bandar Sri Junjungan Port in Dumai City, Riau Province to Roro Tanjung Kapal Port in about 20 to 30 minutes.

Rupat Island has also been designated as a National Tourism Strategic Area (KSPN). There are eight beautiful beaches that stretch for 17 kilometers across the northern part of the island: The Pesona Teluk Rhu Beach, the Mercusuar or Tanjung Jaya Beach, the Tanjung Lapin Beach, the Putri Sembilan Village Beach, the Kadur Beach, the Lohong Beach, and the Ketapang Beach.

Read more
October 16, 2024
October 14, 2024
October 7, 2024
September 27, 2024
August 26, 2024
August 15, 2024
July 22, 2024
July 19, 2024
Load more