Province

West Sumatra

Overview Economy

West Sumatra, home of renowned cuisines 

Situated on the west coast of Sumatra island, West Sumatra is a province with a population of 5.75 million people in 2023. According to the 2021 Census, out of this population, up to 97.6 percent adhere to Islam, followed by Christianity at 1.5 percent, and Catholicism and Buddhism, both at 0.84 percent.

Notably, West Sumatra is home to the Minangkabau people, who are recognized for their matrilineal social system and distinctive architecture, notably the "Rumah Gadang". With traditional dances, music, and festivals celebrating the region’s culture, West Sumatran’s culture also encompasses its cuisine, such as Rendang, a slow-cooked meat dish with a blend of spices, which is recognized as the world’s most delicious dish according to a 2021 CNN poll. Other culinary delights include Nasi Padang, Sate Padang, and various renditions of coconut-based dishes.

Regarding the landscape, the province boasts a setting that ranges from valleys and lakes to mountains. Notably, the province is home to Lake Maninjau and Harau Valley. Moreover, the region’s Mount Kerinci is regarded as the highest volcano in Indonesia.

West Sumatra also has a rich history, seen through its ancient temples, colonial-era architecture, and royal palaces, such as Pagaruyung Palace, a reconstructed palace in Batusangkar, that reflects the grandeur of the Minangkabau kingdom.

Show more

Economic and infrastructure development

West Sumatra’s economy has recorded positive trends in recent years, with the province’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) reaching Rp 174 trillion in 2021, Rp 182 trillion in 2022, and Rp 191 trillion in 2023.

According to Bank Indonesia’s West Sumatra branch, the province could experience an economic development of 4.63 to 5.43 percent in 2024, an increase from 2023’s figures of 4.5 to 5.3 percent. This positive economic climate is attributed to the investment flow of Rp 7.2 trillion in 2023, surpassing the target set by the provincial authorities by 128 percent. Of that number, domestic investments contributed Rp 3.411 trillion, while foreign investments US$67 million (Rp 1 trillion).

Communities in West Sumatra are known for upholding Islamic culture, offering the province an opportunity to develop its Halal tourism industry. The province itself has emerged as a key destination for both domestic and international travelers. The growth in West Sumatra’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) had positive trends in the last three years with.

The province relied predominantly on the agriculture, forestry, and fishery sector with a GRDP of 47 percent, followed by trade at 9.8 percent, and transportation and warehousing at 8.8 percent, as of 2023. Regarding agriculture, the province’s main agricultural products include rice, vegetables (carrots, onions, and cabbage), fruits (rambutan, durian, mangosteen, and snake fruit), palm oil, and rubber. Additionally, the province is a source of handcrafted goods, such as woodworking, batik, and traditional weaving, as well as art exhibitions and the digital creative sector. 

To boost West Sumatra’s economic expansion, the national government has constructed the first highway in the province, the Padang-Pekabaru highway, as part of the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road, expected to be completed in mid-2024. West Sumatra is also working on improving transportation facilities through the reactivation of the Naras-Sungai Limau railway, which started in 2024. Additionally, the Pulau Air-Padang railway route, along with the Pauhlima (Padang)-Naras (Pariaman) route, has gained attention from the provincial authorities for more financially effective mass transportation in West Sumatra.

The province’s railroad revitalization project is set to start with the development of the International Minangkabau Airport-Duku railway route and continue with the revitalization of the Pariaman-Bukittinggi route. Following this, the government plans to extend the development of this railroad to Pekanbaru, alongside the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road. In the long term, the central government's infrastructure development projects aim to integrate West Sumatra's economy with the more affluent and larger economy of Riau.

Show more

Latest News

April 10, 2025

Although the Prabowo Subianto government's budget austerity include a Rp81 trillion cut of the Public Works Ministry's budget, a meeting between Indonesian House of Representatives Commission V Deputy Chair Andre Rosiade, Public Works Ministry Infrastructure Financing Director General Triono Joanes Moro, PT Hutama Karya (Persero) or PT HK Operations Director III Kuncoro revealed that West Sumatra Province is expected to see rapid infrastructure development in the next five years.

The five major projects that will be worked on are the Sitinjau Lauik Flyover Phase 1, the Sitinjau Lauik Flyover Phase 2, the Lubuk Begalung-Indarung Flyover and the Anduring-Unand Flyover, the Floating Solar Power Plant (SPP) project on Lake Singkarak, and the Padang-Pekanbaru Toll Road, Sicincin-Bukittinggi Section.

The Sitinjau Lauik Flyover Phase 1 is the first part of the project for the flyover that will connect the cities of Padang and Solok. The first phase wil result in a 2.7 km long flyover in the Panorama 1 area with a budget of Rp2.79 trillion. The auction winner was determined in November 2024, and the project is targeted to be completed in 2027.

After the first phase is completed, the project will continue to the second phase of 4 km with a budget of Rp3 trillion in the Panorama 2 area. The second phase of the project is estimated to start in 2027 and will be equipped with a rest area to avoid disturbances from street vendors, such as those that occurred at the Kelok 9 Flyover.

The Lubuk Begalung-Indarung Flyover and the Anduring-Unand Flyover will be built on the Padang City Bypass Road, which is the economic artery connecting the Port of Teluk Bayur, the Minangkabau International Airport, PT Semen Indonesia (Persero) Tbk subsidiary PT Semen Padang, and Universitas Andalas. Currently, the project is still in the research stage before being communicated to the public.

PT PLN Indonesia Power, a subsidiary of PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero) or PLN, and PT Indo Aqua Tenaga Singkarak will build a floating SPP with an alternate current (AC) capacity of 50 megawatt (MW) on Lake Singkarak, which stretches across Solok Regency and Tanah Datar Regency. This project is worth Rp855 billion and has been designated as a National Strategic Project (PSN).

Meanwhile, the Padang-Pekanbaru Toll Road project will continue to the Sicincin-Bukittinggi section, as the 36.6 km Padang-Sicincin Toll Road is almost complete. This toll road is prioritized because the area where it is built is prone to congestion and natural disasters. The West Sumatra Provincial Government is waiting for state capital injection (PMN) for 2026 to finance the project.

Read more
March 20, 2025
March 10, 2025
February 27, 2025
February 14, 2025
February 11, 2025
January 13, 2025
December 26, 2024
November 14, 2024
Load more