The Gwangyang Business Forum 2025 has seen Indonesia and South Korea further consolidate their strategic partnership. The event is an initiative organised by the Batang Industropolis Special Economic Zone (KEK Batang), the Gwangyang Bay Free Economic Zone, and the Indonesia Investment Promotion Center Seoul. During the forum, Indonesia emphasised its commitment to welcoming South Korean investment through global standard industrial zones. Charge d'Affaires Ad Interim of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Seoul, Ali Andika Wardhana, stated that from 2020 to 2024, total South Korean investment in Indonesia reached approximately USD 11.3 billion, primarily in strategic sectors such as the chemical industry, electric vehicle (EV) batteries, and high-value-added manufacturing. As part of its ongoing efforts to create a competitive investment climate, the Indonesian government has implemented various incentives, including duty-free imports for priority sectors.
A notable example of this is the accelerated construction of a jetty in the KEK Batang, which is being developed to support the operations of the Korean company KCC, which is currently investing in the area. Meanwhile, the General Manager of Marketing & Sales at the KEK Batang, Angga Brahmana Sukma, stated that the success of Korean investors currently in Batang is evidence of the Indonesian government's readiness to support global development, including through competitive pricing, to ensure investors are efficient in both their investments and operations. The Gwangyang Business Forum 2025 also unveils new investment opportunities, including Yuseong Plant & Bending, a metal processing company planning to construct a production facility in the KEK Batang with an estimated land requirement of 2 to 3 hectares and a production target by 2027. Alongside this, the culinary brand 1988 Pocha, known for its Korean street food concept, is exploring expansion opportunities into Indonesia. Following this, a delegation from the metal processing sector is scheduled to visit Indonesia in mid-August 2025.
