Minister says health SEZs could save Indonesia around Rp150 trillion in foreign exchange

At a third-quarter SEZ coordination meeting in Jakarta, the minister highlighted that health-sector special economic zones could reduce foreign-exchange outflows by roughly Rp150 trillion, based on an estimate of 2 million Indonesians seeking treatment abroad at an average expense of Rp75 million per person. Indonesia already operates three health SEZs—the Sanur SEZ, the Banten International Education, Technology and Health SEZ, and the Batam International Health Tourism SEZ—aimed at attracting patients who currently travel mainly to Singapore and Malaysia, generating about Rp200 trillion in outflows.

The plan involves redirecting public health spending toward domestic facilities. Deputy Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono said the government will simplify practice permits for both Indonesian and foreign doctors to facilitate knowledge transfer, and has introduced regulations to support stem-cell-based diagnostics and regenerative services within the zones. Further revisions to health-sector regulations are expected to create incentives and mechanisms for the development of health SEZs.