Deputy Governor of Central Sulawesi Reny A. Lamadjido said nickel and other minerals must undergo final-stage processing domestically and no longer be exported as semi-finished products or raw materials. She noted that the price gap between mine-mouth products and those sold in industrial areas is large, and that downstreaming should bring greater added value, job opportunities, and a supporting business ecosystem. The provincial government remains open to compliant investors.
Currently, Central Sulawesi has 151 Mining Business Licenses (IUP) and 293 IUP MBLBB (non-metal mineral and rock mining licenses) registered. In the second quarter of 2026, the province's economy grew 5.06% year on year. Manufacturing contributed 44.37% of GRDP, followed by agriculture, forestry, and fisheries at 15.60%, and mining and quarrying at 13.79%. Together, these three sectors accounted for 73.75% of Central Sulawesi's economy.
