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.
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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.
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