Skip to main content

Indonesia plans $490 billion infrastructure spend over the next five years

According to the government of Indonesia, US$490.7 billion (IDR 6,000 trillion) will be needed in the next five years for a series of major infrastructure projects across the country including roads, bridges, power plants, ports and airports. The government hopes that investment projects like these will boost its economic growth rate to 7% per annum versus 5% this year. This latest announcement follows on from an Indonesian government report last November, which unveiled plans to invest $35 billion in new
October 8, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
According to the government of Indonesia, US$490.7 billion (IDR 6,000 trillion) will be needed in the next five years for a series of major infrastructure projects across the country including roads, bridges, power plants, ports and airports. The government hopes that investment projects like these will boost its economic growth rate to 7% per annum versus 5% this year.

This latest announcement follows on from an 1065 Indonesian government report last November, which unveiled plans to invest $35 billion in new infrastructure projects in a bid to tackle one of the biggest deterrents to its growth – a weak national highway and transportation infrastructure in what is now one of Asia's biggest economies. “Of the 56 planned projects, 32 are meant to be partnerships between the private and public sector, which Indonesia calls 'PPP' ventures,” said Reuters.

"We want the PPP scheme to dominate the development projects," chief economic minister Hatta Rajasa said, adding that there would have to be incentives to attract private investors.

Indonesia has attracted high volumes of foreign investment in recent years, but the level has started to slow in the face of a weaker global economy and some severe infrastructure bottlenecks. Economists have long argued that the Indonesian government must first address problems such as poor quality roads and overloaded ports if it is to have any hope of competing for investment with other fast-growing Asian nations.

Among the projects (which will start between 2014 and 2017) are several new highways schemes, including toll roads in Sumatra, one of the world's largest islands. There are also plans for eight seaports, two airports, eight railways, five power plants and 11 water supply and waste treatment, of some will be done by PPPs. No new railway line has been built in Indonesia since the end of Dutch colonial rule nearly 70 years ago.

"These infrastructure projects are crucial to sustain Indonesia's long-term growth," said Andy Ferdinand, head of research at Batavia Prosperindo Sekuritas in Jakarta.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Bauma China 2014 during boom time for Chinese infrastructure investment
    January 6, 2014
    The significance of this year’s Bauma China exhibition in Shanghai has been highlighted by new figures showing that China invested US$220.27 billion (RMB 1.346 trillion) in civil engineering and infrastructure projects in the first six months of 2013 – with the National Bureau of Statistics of China claiming a year-on-year increase of more than 21%. The largest share of H1 2013 investment went into road-building, with Bernd Schaaf of Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), Germany’s economic development agency, rep
  • Indonesia infrastructure development programme planned
    August 22, 2017
    Indonesia’s government has set an impressive 2018 budget of some US$30.72 billion to develop infrastructure in the country. The funding will be split between the Ministry of Public Housing and Works, the Ministry of Transportation and for the special allocation fund. The Indonesian Government is aiming to boost economic growth during 2018 through its infrastructure development programme.
  • Interest in investment in Indonesian infrastructure
    May 5, 2015
    Strong interest in investment in Indonesian infrastructure is being reported. Work is starting on a series of major infrastructure projects. The groundbreaking for the trans-Sumatra toll road has been carried out. The toll road will link Aceh to Lampung and is one of a series of major projects commencing in the country. The Indonesian Government has increased its allocation for capital expenditure from US$12.03 billion to $22.36 billion for 2015. Infrastructure development in 2015 is expected to fuel the co
  • €2.27bn UK road investment in 2014 to support over 9,500 construction jobs
    November 11, 2013
    Over 9,500 construction jobs will be supported in 2014 by more than €2.27 billion (£1.9 billion) of investment in Britain’s roads, Transport Minister Robert Goodwill announced today. The total investment in 209 schemes is €5.15 billion (£4.3 billion), with the €2.27 billion to be spent in 2014 more than twice the amount being spent this year. Due to either start or be completed in 2014, these road programmes are estimated to boost the economy by over €22.52 billion (£18.8 billion) and are part of a €119.8