On behalf of SwissCham Indonesia, Cintia Caroline, Member Engagement and Communication Manager, attended the North Sulawesi Investment Forum 2026 in Manado on 8 August, organized by Bank Indonesia and the Provincial Government of North Sulawesi.
Under the theme “Driving Value Creation: Advancing Downstream and Green Investment in North Sulawesi,” the forum brought together government, financial institutions, investors, and business leaders to explore how the province can unlock more sustainable and higher-value economic growth.
For SwissCham members, several themes stood out: North Sulawesi’s ambition to strengthen its blue and green economy, expand downstream activities, and attract investment in sectors such as fisheries, ecotourism, renewable energy, infrastructure, and SMEs.
The province also continues to show positive economic momentum, with 5.95% year-on-year growth in Q4 2025, while placing greater emphasis on creating value locally and strengthening regional supply chains.
Another key highlight was the Regional Investor Relations Unit (RIRU) introduced by Bank Indonesia’s North Sulawesi Representative Office. RIRU serves as a platform to connect investors with a curated pipeline of clean-and-clear investment opportunities and support investment facilitation in the region.
The broader investment discussions also reflected priorities increasingly relevant to international investors: bankable infrastructure, PPP models, renewable energy, resource efficiency, circular-economy approaches, and sustainable downstream development. Related investment studies reviewed around the programme similarly highlight private-sector participation in infrastructure and the integration of renewable energy, waste utilisation, and green technologies into downstream projects.
🌿From forum to field
The programme also included site visits to Likri Island, Lake Linow, and Manado Beach Resort, offering participants a first-hand look at North Sulawesi’s tourism and natural assets.
These visits reinforced the region’s potential for nature-based and sustainable tourism, while also underlining the importance of preserving the environmental qualities that make these destinations distinctive.
For SwissCham Indonesia, the forum provided valuable insight into North Sulawesi’s development priorities and potential areas for future international business engagement.
We look forward to continuing the dialogue and identifying opportunities where Swiss expertise, technology, innovation, and sustainability standards can contribute to long-term value creation in Indonesia.
