Economic census to map investment opportunities, drive growth: BPS

Banjarbaru, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Statistics Indonesia (BPS) has emphasized that the 2026 Economic Census results will serve as a vital benchmark for the government in mapping investment opportunities to bolster economic competitiveness and growth.

During an address on Wednesday, BPS Chief Inspector Dadang Hardiwan stated that the data generated by the census will provide a comprehensive understanding of the business sector's characteristics.

To highlight the scale of this data, Hardiwan pointed to the 2016 Economic Census in South Kalimantan, which recorded 466,222 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) compared to just 5,903 medium and large enterprises.

This stark contrast underscores that MSMEs serve as the primary pillar of the regional economy.

According to Hardiwan, the sheer dominance of MSMEs makes updating this data crucial, as the characteristics of micro and small businesses are highly dynamic.

Rapid changes in business types, scales, and models over the past several years must be re-recorded to provide the government with an accurate reflection of current conditions.

"How can we provide guidance? How can we conduct training? And how can we develop businesses if we do not have an accurate picture, or if our existing data fails to reflect the actual situation?" he questioned.

He further noted that the results of the 2026 Economic Census will help the government formulate more targeted business development and capacity-building programs, while also allowing policymakers to determine development priorities based on specific sectoral characteristics.

Furthermore, strategic investment in high-potential sectors will generate a multiplier effect across the economy—boosting business activities, creating jobs, and strengthening regional competitiveness amid an evolving economic landscape.

"We hope that all business actors and the public will provide accurate data during the 2026 Economic Census so that the results truly reflect the actual conditions of the regional business sector," Hardiwan concluded.

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Translator: Tumpal, Kenzu

Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono

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