Banten ready to welcome China's data center and AI investments

Banten is considered very strategic due to its adequate infrastructure support,

Serang, Banten (ANTARA) - The Banten Provincial Government has expressed readiness to accommodate data center and artificial intelligence (AI) investments from China, following a visit by Hexavia CEO Qimeng Sun, who expressed interest in the province’s infrastructure potential.

“Our Beijing counterpart is planning to build a data center in Indonesia. Banten is considered very strategic due to its adequate infrastructure support,” Banten Governor Andra Soni said in a statement on Thursday.

Soni reaffirmed Banten’s commitment to welcoming investment, provided that it complies with applicable regulations. He noted that the province’s reliable electricity supply and abundant water resources are key advantages in attracting global technology investors.

Soni also aims to accelerate investment realisation in 2026, building on the strong performance recorded in 2025. He said Banten is well positioned as a leading investment destination due to its proximity to Jakarta, international airport, extensive toll road network, and reliable energy and water infrastructure.

The governor added that the growing influx of technology investment aligns with the central government’s vision.

“One of President Prabowo Subianto’s key priorities is downstreaming. We hope that industries in Banten will move further in that direction, leading to greater job creation and stronger labour absorption,” Soni said.

Meanwhile, Head of the Banten Province Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Agency (DPMPTSP) Virgojanti affirmed the region’s readiness, citing the availability of vast land, reliable electricity, and ample water resources to support data centre investments.

Virgojanti said investor interest in Banten’s technology sector has surged this year, with several companies exploring plans to build data centres in strategic locations, including Cileles in Lebak District, the Education, Technology and International Health Special Economic Zone (KEK ETKI) in BSD, Cikupa, and, most recently, Serang.

“Our challenge and opportunity going forward is to ensure that Banten develops a highly skilled technology workforce to support these investments,” she said.

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