Central Sulawesi APINDO Meets with Palu Mayor, Seeks Local Government Support for Investment Needs
Monday, 19 May 2025
PALU – Mayor of Palu, H. Hadianto Rasyid, SE, welcomed a courtesy visit from the board of the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO) Central Sulawesi on Monday, May 19, 2025, at his office in the Palu City Hall.
The delegation was led by APINDO Central Sulawesi Chairman Wijaya Chandra, who emphasized the organization's commitment to fostering closer communication with the municipal government—particularly to accelerate investment in Central Sulawesi, including Palu.
“We are here to open a more direct line of communication with the Mayor of Palu. Looking ahead, we see tremendous potential in Palu and other districts across Central Sulawesi. Many investors have shown keen interest in entering and developing the region,” said Wijaya Chandra.
During the meeting, APINDO highlighted several key economic sectors in Palu with untapped potential, including the export of eel and coconut. However, there are currently no investors operating in downstream processing or manufacturing finished goods.
“This is a major opportunity that we aim to consolidate and promote together,” he added.
Although the current APINDO leadership was only inaugurated less than a month ago, Wijaya noted that early steps to engage potential investors are already underway. One of the investment plans includes a 3,500-hectare cattle farming project in Donggala, which is now being coordinated with the local government.
“We are also in exploratory talks with five state-owned enterprises (SOEs) from China. A virtual meeting with the Governor of Central Sulawesi is scheduled in the near future. This is a major opportunity we must protect and nurture,” Wijaya explained.
He underlined the critical role of local government—governors, mayors, and regents—in ensuring that infrastructure and policy support are in place to accommodate investments. This includes appropriate land allocation and guaranteeing that incoming projects are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
“We do not want the local population to remain bystanders. That’s why we advocate for corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs in education and vocational training—so our young people can secure jobs right after finishing school,” Wijaya stressed.
Mayor Hadianto Rasyid welcomed the initiative and expressed full support for responsible investment that delivers tangible benefits to local communities.
The visit is expected to serve as a concrete first step toward establishing synergy between the private sector and local government, with the goal of fostering a healthy, inclusive, and sustainable investment ecosystem in Palu and its surrounding areas.
Source: teraskabar.id
