The Provincial Government of Riau Islands (Kepri) targets an economic growth rate of 5.25% to 5.53% in 2025. This optimistic target, as stated by Misni, Head of the Kepri Planning, Research, and Development Agency (Barenlitbang), is based on several factors. These include global growth forecasts from various international institutions, which indicate an improvement compared to 2023 and 2024, and the projected economic growth of Kepri's trading partners such as Singapore and Japan.Misni also highlighted that the 2025 economic growth target is influenced by the 2023 growth rate of 5.2%, supported by substantial investments in the region. Continued construction and investment projects in Bintan, Batam, Karimun, and Tanjungpinang (BBK) are expected to sustain this growth. Infrastructure development, such as the construction of roads and bridges, is anticipated to have a significant multiplier effect on Kepri's economic growth, particularly in Batam.
In addition to setting an optimistic economic growth target, the Kepri Provincial Government aims to reduce the poverty rate to 4.4% to 4.9% in 2025. Misni explained that this target is based on the trend of decreasing poverty rates in Kepri, which have been improving annually. The consistent implementation of poverty alleviation programs by both the central and local governments supports this target. These programs include social protection measures, education, healthcare, housing assistance, and economic empowerment initiatives for the poor.
