Papua – West Papua
West Papua, previously known as West Irian Jaya, is a province of Indonesia located on Papua Island. The province has the Pacific Ocean lapping at its northern shores, and to its west lies the Southwest Papua province along with the Halmahera and Ceram Seas. Its southern border is the Banda Sea, while its eastern border is bounded by Central Papua province and Cendrawasih Bay.
Covering an area of 99,398 square kilometers, West Papua is home to 568,805 individuals and is divided into 13 districts. Manokwari, a coastal town in Mankowari regency, serves as both the administrative center and capital city of West Papua. Manokwari also thrives as West Papua’s center for business and economic activity. Moreover, the city is well known as the “Fruit City” of West Papua as it boasts a rich variety of fruits such as durian, rambutan, mango, avocado, and matoa.
West Papua presents a diverse landscape of religious beliefs, ethnicities, and languages. Almost half of the population adheres to Christianity at 53.32 percent, followed by the Muslim population at 38.12 percent, and Catholics at 8.40 percent, with other religions representing less than one percent. This rich tapestry extends to its people, with indigenous Papuans, encompassing ethnicities such as the Lokal, Arfak, Biak, and Yapen people, forming the majority of the population. Their traditions and languages contribute significantly to the cultural vibrancy of West Papua.
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Economic Description
West Papua boasts a vibrant economy. In 2023, the province’s economy generated a significant Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of Rp 40.9 trillion. The economic landscape is driven by several sectors, with the processing industry contributing the largest at Rp 16.1 trillion, followed by the mining sector at Rp 9.3 trillion, and the construction sector at Rp 5 trillion.
Although the processing industry contributes the most to West Papua’s GRDP, the mining sector, as a leading sector in the region, holds substantial potential. The sector’s main commodities include oil, gas, and geothermal. Additionally, gold is also a leading commodity in the mining sector. West Papua's rich gold deposits offer immense potential for mining sector development, attracting investors with a keen eye for valuable resources.
Construction, while among the top three contributors to the province’s GRDP, is not the province’s leading sector. Other sectors such as fisheries and tourism are considered leading sectors in West Papua. The province’s wealth of marine resources offers ideal conditions for flourishing fish farming, with the fisheries sector contributing around Rp 1.4 trillion in GRDP. The sector’s main commodities include tuna, skipjack, and mackerel tuna.
Furthermore, the tourism industry in West Papua is experiencing steady growth, showcasing the province’s well-managed potential for sustainable tourism. Investment opportunities abound in initiatives such as the integrated tourism development in the Mount Botak area, which includes tourist facilities, café and restaurants, and the construction of public facilities. This development aims to establish Mount Botak as a prominent tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors within West Papua.
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