Equitable Maritime-Based Investment in Kepulauan Riau: Evaluation of Policy and Regional Development Direction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31629/jgbr.v3i1.8090Keywords:
Maritime Investment, Regional Equity, Blue Economy, Investment PolicyAbstract
This study examines the issue of unequal maritime-based investment distribution in Kepulauan Riau, an archipelagic province with strategic economic potential due to its proximity to international shipping routes, cross-border trade networks, port infrastructure, and marine-based resources. Although Kepulauan Riau has recorded significant investment growth, investment realisation remains concentrated in Batam, while outer-island districts such as Natuna, Anambas, and Lingga continue to face limited capital inflows, weak infrastructure, and low integration into regional value chains. This study aims to evaluate the direction of investment policy and its contribution to equitable regional development in Kepulauan Riau. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, the study analyses secondary data from the Kepulauan Riau Province Investment and One-Stop Service Agency for 2021–2025, supported by policy review and regional development analysis. The findings show that Batam consistently dominates provincial investment realisation, while Bintan and Karimun experience fluctuating growth and outer-island districts remain structurally marginal. The results also indicate that investment inequality is influenced by uneven connectivity, limited logistics infrastructure, weak investment promotion, insufficient downstream industries, and fragmented institutional coordination. The study concludes that equitable maritime-based investment requires a shift from a Batam-centred growth model toward a spatially inclusive development strategy through thematic economic zones, regional investment potential mapping, infrastructure acceleration, green investment, strengthened investment coordination, and local community integration into maritime value chains.
Downloads
References
Afiatno, B. E., & Joyoutomo, K. D. (2024). The economic impact of dry port investment in Indonesia: A case study of Bangil, Pasuruan District, East Java Province. Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain, 13, 100179. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CLSCN.2024.100179
Akbar, D., Pratama, R. A., Yudhyo, Riama Lisnawati Sianturi, & Nadya Triyana. (2022). Strategi Pengembangan Blue Economy Wilayah Perbatasan Indonesia: Tata Kelola Ekonomi Maritim Pesisir Kepulauan Riau. NeoRespublica: Jurnal Ilmu Pemerintahan, 4(1), 166–177. https://doi.org/10.52423/NEORES.V4I1.8
Amin, C., Mulyati, H., Anggraini, E., & Kusumastanto, T. (2021). Impact of maritime logistics on archipelagic economic development in eastern Indonesia. The Asian Journal of Shipping and Logistics, 37(2), 157–164. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AJSL.2021.01.004
Amin, C., Wahab Hasyim, A., Sun’an, M., Yetty, Millanida Hilman, R., & Fahmiasari, H. (2024). Impact of increasing local economic capacity on reducing maritime logistics costs in island Province of eastern Indonesia: A dynamic system approach. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 27, 101195. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TRIP.2024.101195
Ananda, Y., Elric, W., & Rusnadi, R. (2024). Government Performance Evaluation; Case Study in the Cultural Service of Kepulauan Riau Province. Journal Governance Society , 1(2), 135–145. https://doi.org/10.69812/JGS.V1I2.77
Ananta, A. S., & Cabral, R. B. (2026). Achieving sustainable fisheries and livelihoods from Sasi Laut in a blue economy in Indonesia. Marine Policy, 187, 107032. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MARPOL.2026.107032
Bao, T., Dai, Y., Feng, Y., Liu, S., & Wang, R. (2023). Trade liberalisation and trade and capital flows: Evidence from China pilot free trade zones. World Economy, 46(5), 1408–1422. https://doi.org/10.1111/TWEC.13387
Brown, R. J., & Head, M. G. (2020). Monitoring investments in coronavirus research and development. The Lancet Microbe, 1(2), e61. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2666-5247(20)30039-2
Chesbrough, H., Vanhaverbeke, W., & West, J. (2006). Open Innovation: Researching a New Paradigm (H. Chesbrough, W. Vanhaverbeke, & J. West, Eds.). Oxford University Press.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Croft, F., Breakey, H., Voyer, M., Cisneros-Montemayor, A., Issifu, I., Solitei, M., Moyle, C., Campbell, B., Barclay, K., Benzaken, D., Bodwitch, H., Fusco, L., Lozano, A. G., Ota, Y., Pauwelussen, A., Schutter, M., Singh, G., & Pouponneau, A. (2024). Rethinking blue economy governance – A blue economy equity model as an approach to operationalise equity. Environmental Science & Policy, 155, 103710. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENVSCI.2024.103710
Endarto, B., Indriastuty, D. E., & Mardiana, F. (2025). Legal transplantation of blue bond regulation in Indonesia. Environmental Development, 53, 101118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2024.101118
Halimatussadiah, A., Yamazaki, S., Nichols, R., Muawanah, U., Afifi, F. A. R., & Adriansyah, M. (2023). Co-management of large-scale and medium-scale fisheries: An assessment of the fishery tax system in Indonesia. Marine Policy, 148, 105458. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MARPOL.2022.105458
Karimah, I. D., & Yudhistira, M. H. (2020). Does small-scale port investment affect local economic activity? Evidence from small-port development in Indonesia. Economics of Transportation, 23, 100180. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ECOTRA.2020.100180
Lessy, M. R., Lassa, J., & Zander, K. K. (2025). Development of small island vulnerability index to achieve sustainable development goals: Insight from Ternate Volcanic Island, Indonesia. Environmental Challenges, 19, 101132. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENVC.2025.101132
Muhammad, Z. (2023). 6 Fakta Unik Kepulauan Riau, Provinsi dengan Jumlah Pulau Terbanyak di Indonesia. Batamnews. https://www.batamnews.co.id/berita-98067-6-fakta-unik-kepulauan-riau-provinsi-dengan-jumlah-pulau-terbanyak-di-indonesia.html
Nielsen, B. B., Asmussen, C. G., & Weatherall, C. D. (2017). The location choice of foreign direct investments: Empirical evidence and methodological challenges. Journal of World Business, 52(1), 62–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JWB.2016.10.006
Putri, R. A., & Afnira, E. (2024). Nation Branding of Kepulauan Riau Through Subregional Cooperation in The Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT). Journal of Maritime Policy Science, 1(2), 93–109. https://doi.org/10.31629/JMPS.V1I2.6944
Rahayu, L., Busscher, T., Tillema, T., & Woltjer, J. (2024). Maritime transport governance challenges in the Global South. Marine Policy, 163, 106147. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MARPOL.2024.106147
Samin, R., Akhyary, E., & Muzwardi, A. (2025). Sustainable Maritime Infrastructure and Coastal Accessibility Policy for Marine Resource Utilization in the Kepulauan Riau Province. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1559(1), 012039. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1559/1/012039
Samin, R., & Poti, J. (2022). Policy Strategy in Management Local Government Kepulauan Riau Province in Border Area. Journal of Public Policy and Administration, 6(2), 77. https://doi.org/10.11648/J.JPPA.20220602.13
Shiiba, N., Wu, H. H., Huang, M. C., & Tanaka, H. (2022). How blue financing can sustain ocean conservation and development: A proposed conceptual framework for blue financing mechanism. Marine Policy, 139, 104575. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MARPOL.2021.104575
Solihin, A., Wardana, W. W., Jamil, I. R., Heriqbaldi, U., Ngan, N. T. T., Sylviana, W., & Istifadah, N. (2024). Infrastructure provision and economic growth: evidence from the longest bridge construction in Indonesia. Cogent Economics & Finance, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2024.2421887
Sunitiyoso, Y., Nuraeni, S., Pambudi, N. F., Inayati, T., Nurdayat, I. F., Hadiansyah, F., & Tiara, A. R. (2022). Port performance factors and their interactions: A systems thinking approach. The Asian Journal of Shipping and Logistics, 38(2), 107–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AJSL.2022.04.001
Trenggono, S. W., Meilano, I., Latief, H., Simamora, D. C., Sabina, A., Arthatiani, F. Y., & Radiarta, I. N. (2025). Developing a marine and fisheries blue economy index for Indonesia: A comprehensive assessment framework. Sustainable Futures, 10(3), 101440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2025.101440
Utama, D. R., Hamsal, M., Abdinagoro, S. B., & Rahim, R. K. (2024). Developing a digital transformation maturity model for port assessment in archipelago countries: The Indonesian case. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 26, 101146. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TRIP.2024.101146
Wardana, W. W., Haryanto, T., Jamil, I. R., Ismail, N. A., Heriqbaldi, U., Correa, E., Rohmah, W. N., & Ajija, S. R. (2025). Does improved accessibility translate into tourism growth? A difference-in-differences analysis of bridge infrastructure in Indonesia. Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights, 6(2), 100189. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ANNALE.2025.100189
Wijaya, T., & Camba, A. (2025). The (Geo)politics of the Belt and Road Initiative: economic corridors in Indonesia and the Philippines. Eurasian Geography and Economics. https://doi.org/10.1080/15387216.2025.2534559
Yuslaini, N., Suwaryo, U., Deliarnoor, N. A., & Sri Kartini, D. (2023). Palm oil industry and investment development in Dumai City, Indonesia: A focus on local economy development and sustainability. Cogent Social Sciences, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2023.2235780
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Yeni Yustina, Yustin Dhamayanti
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- ShareAlike — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
