The economy of Kendal Regency performed strongly in second quarter of 2026. According to Kendal Regency’s Statistics Indonesia, the economy grew by 8.57 percent year-on-year (YoY) compared to second quarter of 2025. This growth exceeded that of Central Java (5.71 percent) and the national rate (5.29 percent). These results rank Kendal as the regency with the highest economic growth in Central Java during this period.
Kendal Regency’s growth achievements are supported by strong performance of several key sectors. Manufacturing industry made the largest contribution to Kendal’s economy at 43.99 percent. The manufacturing sector itself recorded a 9.71 percent growth in second quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, Kendal’s exports grew by 63.60 percent. These growth rates demonstrate increasing momentum of production and trade activities in Kendal.
Ade Sandi, Head of the Kendal Regency’s Statistic Indonesia, said that incoming investment has helped boost economic activity in the region. According to him, incoming investment has a broader impact on the people of Kendal. “With incoming investment, economic activity will indirectly increase as well. So, we want the investment coming into Kendal to contribute to the community’s economic growth,” he said.
The influx of new investment can also have a multiplier effect on economic activity in other sectors. This trend is evident in the growth of business activity in Kendal SEZ. As of the second quarter of 2026, Kendal SEZ had 143 business entities, with investment commitments totaling Rp 202.06 trillion. The number of businesses and the large investment commitments indicate the continued growth of business and investment activities within the zone.
The growth of business entities in Kendal SEZ is also reflected in employment numbers. As of the second quarter of 2026, the actual number of employees reached 64,788, while the employment commitment from the 143 companies currently in operation stood at 77,799 employees. As industrial activity expands, the demand for workers in industrial parks continues to increase.
Industrial activity in Kendal SEZ, including investment and job creation, is becoming increasingly connected to the global market. From the second quarter of 2026 through the end of the year, the zone’s recorded export value reached USD 685.04 million. This achievement demonstrates that companies’ production activities in industrial park are connected to international markets. Kendal SEZ’s development is part of the growth of industrial activities and investment in Kendal Regency. With an increasing number of business entities and the ongoing implementation of investments, the zone continues to grow as one of the region’s industrial hubs.
Kendal’s economic growth reached 8.57 percent, driven in part by the growth of business activity in Kendal SEZ. This indicates that economic activity in Kendal region is becoming increasingly vibrant. The continued flow of investment and industrial activity in the region is expected to create more opportunities for businesses and expand employment, providing broader benefits for the local economy.
