The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) announced that in the second quarter of 2025, North Maluku (Malut) recorded the highest economic growth of any province in Indonesia, rising by 32.09 percent.

In response to this achievement, Bank Indonesia (BI) said the result cannot be separated from the contribution of the mining and mineral processing sector, particularly the nickel industry and downstreaming.

This includes developments at the Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP) and the Weda Bay Nickel (WBN) mining operation.

Head of Bank Indonesia’s North Maluku Representative Office, Dwi Putra Indrawan, explained that IWIP and WBN—both operating since 2018—have absorbed a large workforce.

“For example, IWIP has employed tens of thousands of workers, about 75 percent of whom are from North Maluku. The presence of IWIP and WBN has also spurred growth across various business sectors, from accommodation, culinary and entertainment to workshop and laundry services. These positive impacts are being felt directly by surrounding communities,” he said in a written statement on Thursday (September 25, 2025).

“The presence of IWIP and WBN also strengthens the mineral downstreaming program, so the benefits of development are not limited to job creation but extend to broader and more sustainable value-add for the region,” Dwi added.

Economic growth is evident not only at the provincial level but also in Central Halmahera (Halteng) Regency, which recorded an increase of 60.77 percent.

Although many development challenges remain, the growth trend in Halteng has continued to show consistent increases each year.

Meanwhile, Deky Tetradiono, Senior External Relations Manager for the Weda Bay Project, conveyed IWIP and WBN’s commitment to continue contributing and delivering broad benefits to the region—both Central Halmahera and North Maluku—as well as to local communities, while supporting the national downstreaming program.

“Seeing the continued rise in Central Halmahera’s economic growth, we are hopeful that IWIP and WBN will bring broad, inclusive and sustainable economic benefits to the community, while supporting the national downstreaming program,” he said.

For context, IWIP and WBN have built public infrastructure that helps drive economic growth. Adequate infrastructure—such as roads, bridges and transport access—is crucial as it facilitates mobility of people and goods, improves access to basic services, and opens up new economic opportunities.

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