Kalimantan envisioned as Nusantara Economic Superhub for Borneo

KUCHING: Kalimantan is envisioned as the Nusantara Economic Superhub to expand economic opportunities across Eastern Indonesia and shift the country’s economic centre of gravity beyond Java and Sumatra.

Indonesia’s Minister of National Development Planning, Rachmat Pambudy said the vision was outlined under the country’s National Long-Term Development Plan for 2025-2045, with Nusantara Capital City serving as the anchor of the emerging economic ecosystem.
“Our vision is to shift Indonesia’s economic centre of gravity beyond Java and Sumatra through the development of six strategic clusters,” he said.

He said this in his remarks at the 2nd Borneo Economic Forum themed ‘Shaping the Future of Borneo’ at Sheraton Hotel here today.

He said the clusters comprised clean technology, integrated pharmaceuticals, sustainable agriculture, ecotourism and wellness tourism, chemicals and low-carbon energy.

Rachmat said a smart city and Industry 4.0 hub, supported by education focused on 21st-century skills, would complement these industries while preparing the workforce for future economic opportunities.

He said realising the vision required simultaneous investment in people and infrastructure, with priorities including healthcare, education, skills development aligned with regional potential, sustainable industrial downstreaming, and tourism.

“Equally important, governance, social, cultural and ecological resilience, the rights of indigenous peoples and forest conservation must guide this transformation,” he said, stressing that development must remain inclusive, just and sustainable.

Rachmat said forest and land fires and floods posed threats to communities, infrastructure and economic activity, making prevention, robust early warning systems and risk-informed spatial planning essential, supported by cross-border exchanges.

He said connectivity was central to the transformation, with the Nusantara-Balikpapan-Samarinda corridor expected to serve as a major economic hub supported by ports, airports and mass transit systems.

Across Kalimantan, he said priorities included completing the Trans-Kalimantan Road, developing rail and air connections, improving border access and strengthening urban public transport, while Kijing Port and enhanced land links would support logistics in western Kalimantan.

“The Samarinda-Bontang-Tarakan corridor will drive downstream industries and energy development, while connections around Banjarmasin, Batulicin, Kotabaru, Palangkaraya and Pangkalan Bun will reinforce supply chains and coastal economies,” he said.

Rachmat said Indonesia also envisioned Borneo sharing and connecting complementary production areas and markets, with cooperation in energy, industry, fisheries, agriculture and tourism forming key areas for discussion at the forum.

He said Indonesia welcomed the Borneo Economic Community (BEC) as a platform for business dialogue and the exchange of experiences, complementing existing BIMP-EAGA frameworks by translating geographical proximity into greater trade, investment and sustainable growth.

“Basically, Indonesia welcomes dialogue that advances inclusive development in Borneo.

“Our shared priorities include transport and border connectivity, energy interconnection through the ASEAN Power Grid, industrial investment and regional value chains, as well as digital infrastructure, skills and artificial intelligence,” he said.