Infrastructure Equalization and 6 New Special Economic Zones in 2026

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The following is important information related to the development of the business universe that needs attention today based on the curation of the SUAR Team.

To Drive Growth, Government Prioritizes More Equitable Infrastructure Development

The government will prioritize more equitable infrastructure development in various regions amid ambitious targets to achieve 8% economic growth. Several sectors that will be prioritized include food security, energy security, and water security; human resource development; strengthening connectivity; and environmental sustainability. Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono said that a one-stop service is needed to attract infrastructure investment and innovative financing.
In terms of basic resilience, development is focused on food estates, dams and irrigation, and renewable power plants. In terms of human resource development, public schools are being built alongside public housing, sports facilities, and SPPG kitchens to supply Free Nutritious Meals to all Indonesian children. Stronger connectivity is being promoted through the Ministry of Transportation, state-owned transportation companies, and Injourney. Meanwhile, the priority of environmental sustainability infrastructure is manifested in Danantara's investment support for waste-to-energy projects and the construction of sea walls and coastal embankments in coastal cities in northern Java that are experiencing land subsidence.

Next Year, There Will Be 6 New Special Economic Zones with a Potential Investment of IDR 300 Trillion

The government will add six new Special Economic Zones (SEZs) next year with a potential investment of Rp 300 trillion. The six new SEZs will operate in various sectors ranging from health, education, manufacturing, and tourism. However, the government has not disclosed the locations of the new SEZs or their latest developments. As of September 2025, there are already 25 operational SEZs that have successfully attracted investment, driven economic growth, and created jobs. The 25 operational SEZs consist of 13 industrial SEZs, 8 tourism and healthcare SEZs, 3 digital and education SEZs, and 1 other service SEZ, specifically for aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO).

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Retail Bosses Ensure Safe Stock Levels for Christmas and New Year

The Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) has ensured that consumer goods such as food, beverages, and clothing will be available and sufficient ahead of Christmas and New Year (Nataru). Demand for food and beverage products ahead of Nataru has increased by 15% compared to normal days. Entrepreneurs guarantee that there will be no problems with the availability of consumer goods. Apindo has also coordinated with several distributors in the region, especially those in Java, and they report that stocks are sufficient.

Maintain Consumer Optimism to Pursue Annual Growth

Bank Indonesia (BI) announced an increase in the consumer confidence index (IKK) from 121.2 in October to 124.0 in November 2025. The business world needs to take advantage of this optimism so that the positive momentum is sustained and becomes a structural foundation for strengthening public consumption as a driver of growth for the next quarter. In the November 2025 Consumer Survey published by BI on Tuesday (9/12/2025), the increase in the CCI indicates a recovery in consumer perceptions of economic conditions. According to BI's notes, the increase in consumer confidence stems from current and future economic conditions, which are at an optimistic level and have improved compared to the previous period.

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Featured Video Roundtable Decision: Accelerative and Attractive Special Economic Zones Boost Investment and Employment

Innovation is One of the Keys to Increasing City Revenue

The results of data analysis during the 2022-2024 period by the Association of Indonesian City Governments (Apeksi) highlight two main growth paths. In metropolitan cities, the increase in local revenue (PAD) relies on a strong fiscal base. Meanwhile, in small cities, the increase in PAD is partly driven by innovation, especially digital innovation. Surprisingly, the highest (relative) percentage growth was recorded by small non-metropolitan cities. A total of 7.61% of cities recorded a growth rate of over 30%.
There are two cities with the most notable growth rates, namely Subulussalam City and Bima City. Subulussalam City recorded a growth rate of 75.75%, followed by Bima City with 54.87%. This impressive achievement shows that rapid growth rates are achievable even for cities with fiscal constraints (under Rp 500 billion). The report also found that this growth was driven by innovation and progressiveness in revenue management.

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The launch of the Indonesian Water, Energy, Food (WEF) Nexus Roadmap will be conducted by the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas in collaboration with UNDP Indonesia and the British Government on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Western Indonesian Time. This event aims to optimize synergies and minimize trade-offs between natural resource sectors, in order to ensure efficient and equitable utilization and support sustainable development. The event will feature Keynote Speaker H.E. Retno L.P. Marsudi (UN SG Special Envoy for Water), remarks from Rahmat Pambudy (Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas) and H.E. Dominic James Robert Jermey (British Ambassador to Indonesia). Presentation and panel sessions will feature experts from Bappenas, UNDP, and relevant ministries/agencies. This launch and strategic discussion can be accessed online via Live Streaming on Bappenas RI's YouTube channel.

Retail Sales Survey Report for October 2025. Bank Indonesia (BI) will release this report on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. This report is an important indicator for monitoring consumption and purchasing power, which are key pillars of economic growth. The report will provide a more detailed picture of sales trends in various product groups, such as motor vehicle fuel, clothing, and spare parts, as well as expectations for future prices and inflation. Information related to the report's findings can be accessed directly through the Bank Indonesia website.