DPMPTSP Aceh Promotes Strategic Investment Opportunities at India-Indonesia Business Forum

Medan — The Government of Aceh, through the Aceh Investment and One-Stop Services Agency (DPMPTSP Aceh), continues to expand its international investment outreach by participating in the Millennial India International Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MIICCIA) business forum held on Friday, July 25, at the Grand Mercure Medan Hotel. The Aceh delegation was officially represented by Junaidi, Senior Investment Governance Analyst, who attended the forum on behalf of the Government of Aceh.

The event gathered business leaders from India and various Indonesian provinces to explore new opportunities in trade and investment. In his presentation, Junaidi highlighted Aceh’s potential in four key priority sectors: agro-industry, tourism, energy & infrastructure, and special economic zones.

“Aceh is closer than you think,” Junaidi opened. He emphasized the geographic proximity of Aceh to India, especially through the Port of Sabang, which is located only 100 kilometers from India’s Indira Point in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. “This is not just about physical distance but also a bridge of shared history and culture,” he said, referring to the centuries-old spice trade and culinary links.

Patchouli-Based Products Featured by Acehnese MSMEs

One of the highlights of Aceh’s participation was a display of patchouli oil derivative products by Acehnese micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Items such as natural perfumes, essential oils, handmade soaps, and aromatherapy products were showcased to introduce India’s business community to Aceh’s rich biodiversity and export-quality herbal goods.

Aceh is known globally as one of the world’s largest producers of patchouli oil, especially from regions such as South Aceh, Gayo Lues, and Aceh Jaya. The products drew strong interest from Indian entrepreneurs, particularly those in the beauty and wellness industries.

Junaidi also presented a range of ready-to-invest projects, including the Lhoknga Golf Course & Resort—a 57-hectare beachfront property in Aceh Besar open for development through joint ventures or public-private partnerships (PPP). Another featured project was the Sabang One Stop Services Hospital, a USD 20 million medical and wellness facility planned for development in the duty-free zone of Sabang Island.

In the agro-industry sector, Aceh offers investment opportunities in Gayo Arabica coffee, organic cacao, spices, and crude palm oil (CPO) processing. DPMPTSP Aceh also introduced PT Pembangunan Aceh (PEMA), a region-owned enterprise seeking partners for establishing a CPO-based cooking oil factory in Nagan Raya.

Aceh’s various economic zones were also highlighted, including the Arun Lhokseumawe Special Economic Zone (SEZ), focused on energy, petrochemical, and logistics industries; the Sabang Free Trade Zone (FTZ) offering tax-free incentives; and the Kutaraja Fisheries Port, which holds strong potential for processing premium fish species like tuna and snapper.

To further attract investors, Aceh offers a range of fiscal incentives, including up to 20 years of corporate income tax exemption for major investments, tax allowances for medium-scale ventures, and streamlined licensing for both domestic and foreign businesses.

“We’re not just looking for investors. We are looking for partners to build a shared future,” Junaidi concluded, inviting Indian business leaders to explore investment opportunities firsthand in Aceh.

The event was attended by India’s Consul General in Medan, Ravi Shanker Goel, MIICCIA Director General Subir Dutta, and several prominent Indian companies, including KP TradeLinx, Ottonomy, and RR Group. The forum was part of MIICCIA’s official business delegation visit to Jakarta and Medan aimed at boosting India-Indonesia economic cooperation ahead of the targeted USD 50 billion bilateral trade volume by 2025.

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