Indonesia’s special economic zones cover 24,000 hectares, trailing regional peers
The country has 25 special economic zones, with cumulative investment of Rp382.1 trillion, according to Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto.
Indonesia needs to promote its special economic zones as their land area remains below that of Vietnam and Malaysia, Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto said on 21 October 2026. Speaking at a coordination meeting in his office, he put Indonesia’s coverage at 24,000 hectares, compared with 1.8–2 million hectares in Vietnam and Malaysia.
Indonesia has 25 such zones, including 18 outside Java and seven on the island. By sector, 13 focus on industry, six on tourism, two on healthcare, one on digital activities, two on technology and education, and one on other services.
Cumulative investment since the zones were established stands at Rp382.1 trillion, with 302,262 people employed and 509 business entities operating in them. Airlangga said investment realised from January to September reached Rp46 trillion, while employment increased by 53,000.
Airlangga also highlighted the foreign-exchange potential of healthcare zones, including one in Bali. He said around 2 million Indonesians sought medical treatment abroad, including in Singapore and Penang, spending about Rp200 trillion.
