Indonesia Seeks $80B Foreign Investment for 700km Java Seawall Project

Indonesia has announced an ambitious $80 billion project to build a seawall stretching approximately 700 kilometers along the north coast of Java to combat rising sea levels and frequent flooding, a threat worsened by climate change and land subsidence. President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the urgency of the project and invited foreign investors, including countries like China and Japan, to participate, with the construction expected to take around 20 years. The seawall initiative expands on an earlier 2014 plan aimed at protecting Jakarta, which is sinking due to excessive groundwater extraction, prompting plans to relocate the capital. Alongside the seawall, Indonesia is offering numerous infrastructure projects totaling over $12 billion to global and domestic investors, covering sectors such as roads, water resources, housing, waste management, and renewable energy. These projects are part of a broader strategic push involving public-private partnerships to meet the country's infrastructure funding needs, which exceed government funding capabilities. Officials highlight the importance of innovative financing models and long-term partnerships to drive Indonesia's sustainable infrastructure development and climate resilience.