Jakarta. South Korean manufacturer Simone is investing Rp 429 billion ($24.68 million) in a new export-oriented leather goods manufacturing facility at the Batang Industropolis Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

The investment commitment was formalized on Wednesday through the signing of an Industrial Land Utilization Agreement between Batang Industropolis SEZ Marketing and Development Director Indri Septa Respati and Simone Batang Indonesia President Director Kim Jung Shik.

Simone Batang Indonesia plans to build its production facility on 8.28 hectares of industrial land within the SEZ. The project is expected to create around 6,000 jobs, further strengthening Batang’s position as one of Indonesia’s export-oriented labor-intensive industrial hubs.

The investment comes as Indonesia intensifies efforts to boost the competitiveness of its manufacturing sector and attract the relocation and expansion of global companies seeking alternative production bases in Southeast Asia.

Indri said Simone’s entry into Batang reflects rising confidence among global investors in Indonesia’s industrial ecosystem.

“This investment shows that Indonesia, through the Batang Industropolis SEZ, is increasingly being seen as an important part of the global supply chain. We are seeing a stronger trend of international companies using this area as a production base for export markets,” Indri said in a statement.

Founded in 1987, Simone is a global manufacturer specializing in leather-based products with operations across several countries, including Vietnam and Cambodia.

Globally, the company controls around 10% of the global market and approximately 30% of the US market, with retail sales valued at more than $7 billion.

Kim Jung Shik described Indonesia as a strategic location for the company’s long-term expansion plans.