Pekanbaru

Pekanbaru – Riau's Provincial oil production Capital

With its population of 1.01 million people living in its 632.26 square kilometer city limits, Pekanbaru is the third largest municipality on Sumatra Island. As the provincial trading port capital of Riau, Pekanbaru has always had a history of importance dating back to the 17th century that has seen it being an important hub of commerce, as well as serving as a seat of government of the Siak Sultanate. Being Riau’s capital also means it is at the center of the province's oil wealth as the nation's biggest petroleum producer, with local state-owned Rokan Block notably producing around 162,000 barrels of oil per day (with the government expressing a desire to amp this number up to 200,000).

Much of Pekanbaru's rich culture and history can be experienced through destinations located in and around the city. You can visit the Siak Sri Indrapura Palace and witness the remnants of the once-great empire that walked in its grounds. The Sang Nila Utama Museum is for those curious about Riau's heritage in general. An-Nur Great Mosque, one of the country's largest, is notable for its architectural design that blends multicultural influences that make it the perfect backdrop for memorable photo-shoots. Another scenic destination one can't miss is the Soeman HS Library, with its "open book"-shaped building design. You can also relaxing enjoy outdoor activities like fishing and horseback riding (as well as festivals and concerts) at Alam Mayang Park.

Being at the center of its province's oil economy has opened up tremendous economic benefits for Pekanbaru. It has consistently outpaced overall national economic growth rates for the past three years, with its own annual growth being at 5.24 percent, 6.78 percent and 6.06 from 2021 to 2023. Its Gross Domestic Regional Product (GRDP) at current prices in 2023 was Rp 159.96 trillion, with the biggest industry being in construction (at Rp 49.07 trillion or 30.68 percent of all industries), followed closely by wholesale and retail trade (at Rp 48.98 trillion or 30.62 percent) and the manufacturing industry (at Rp 32.21 trillion or 20.14 percent).