Province

South Kalimantan

Overview Economy

South Kalimantan, thousands of rivers province

Located on Borneo island, South Kalimantan is home to a population of 4.23 million people as of 2023. The province serves as a melting pot, housing various ethnic groups, including the Dayak and Banjar people. The Banjar people comprise the largest ethnic group in South Kalimantan. Additionally, the province is characterized by diverse religious beliefs, with Islam being the predominant faith adhered to by the population.

Culturally, the province’s richness and diversity are influenced by Arab, Chinese, and Malay cultures, which have been integrated into South Kalimantan through the province’s history as a trading hub of Indonesia. Regarding trade, the province’s Martapura River, known as the River of Diamonds, has been a center of commerce for centuries, featuring bustling floating markets.

Among South Kalimantan’s notable cultural landmarks are the Sultan Suriansyah Mosque and the Kambang Palace in Banjarmasin, which offer glimpses into the region’s past. Additionally, traditional villages such as the Nagara and Sungai Tabuk village allow visitors to witness age-old customs and craftsmanship firsthand.

Besides its cultural richness, South Kalimantan is blessed with natural beauty that includes extensive river systems such as the Barito and Martapura Rivers, as well as mountains and forests. Notably, the province is home to the Tanjung Puting National Park, home to endangered species such as orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and pygmy elephants.

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Economic sector

As of 2023, South Kalimantan’s economy is mainly contributed by the mining sector, which recorded a Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of Rp 36 trillion or 24.4 percent of the total GRDP. Following closely behind is the agriculture, forestry, and fishery sector with Rp 19 trillion or 13.07 percent, and the processing industry with Rp 18 trillion or 12.32 percent.

The province has also seen a positive trend in terms of investment, generating Rp 19 trillion throughout 2023, which surpasses the initial target of Rp 16.2 trillion. Of this investment, Rp 14.9 trillion came from domestic sources in the form of 6,697 projects, while Rp 4.8 trillion originated from foreign sources in the form of 836 projects.

Despite positive progress in its investment, South Kalimantan has experienced fluctuations in economic growth in the past few years, with growth rates of 3.48 percent in 2021, rising to 5.11 percent in 2022, and then slightly decreasing to 4.84 percent in 2023. Nevertheless, opportunities for South Kalimantan to bolster its economic growth are available, notably through the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) in the neighboring province of East Kalimantan.

Moreover, other economic opportunities are presented in several national strategic projects (PSN) that are being built in the province, such as the Tapin Dam and the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road. Additionally, the province is set to develop industrial areas in Batulicin, Jorong, Banjarmasin, and Tapin, as well as the Mekar Putih special economic zone (SEZ) in Kotabaru.

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Latest News

June 23, 2025

Teams from within and outside South Kalimantan Province use a combined 100 bamboo rafts as they take part in the 2025 South Hulu Sungai Bamboo Rafting Festival, making it one of the leading tourist attractions this year.

"Bamboo rafting is not just a water tourism attraction, but a traditional heritage of the Meratus [Dayak] community that has become an icon of pride for South Hulu Sungai," stated South Hulu Sungai Regency Regional Secretary (Sekda) H Muhammad Noor when opening the festival in Loksado District, South Hulu Sungai Regency, South Kalimantan Province.

Furthermore, he conveyed that the Bamboo Rafting Festival is a strategic forum, in uniting the tourism industry, creative economy enterprises, arts and culture, as well as active participation of the local community.

"We want this event to be more than just an annual event. We want Bamboo Rafting to be a symbol of the spirit, identity, and strength of South Hulu Sungai promotion at the national level," he said.

The South Hulu Sungai Regency Government itself hopes that the activity can continue to stimulate the local economy, increase tourist visits, and expand the network of cooperation in promoting regional tourism.

One of the attractions of this festival is Orchid Hamlet, Tumingki Village, Loksado District, which is a stopover point on the rafting route on Amandit River. Participants can enjoy the beauty of local flora while resting, before continuing their journey to the finish line in Hulu Banyu Village, Loksado District.

The 2025 Bamboo Rafting Festival was held from June 17 to 21 2025. The activity is one of the official agendas of Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) 2025, the Tourism Ministry's calendar of cultural festivals for this year.

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