Wednesday, 09 September 2026
Indonesia’s plan to develop its new capital, Nusantara, has attracted interest from several countries. Spain is one of them. The Spanish government has expressed interest in cooperating with Indonesia in the development of the new capital city, commonly known as IKN.
The interest was discussed when Spanish and Finnish government representatives met with officials from Indonesia’s IKN Authority. The meeting showed that international cooperation could become an important part of developing Nusantara into a modern and sustainable city.
For Spain, the project is also interesting because the country has experienced the process of moving its own capital in the past. Spain’s ambassador to Indonesia said that Spain hoped its experience could contribute to the IKN project.
Spain Sees an Opportunity in Nusantara
The development of IKN is one of Indonesia’s major infrastructure projects. Because of its scale, the government has been open to cooperation with international investors and companies in different sectors.
Spain’s interest could potentially create opportunities for companies with expertise in infrastructure, urban development, technology, transportation, construction, and other supporting industries.
However, it is important to understand that the announcement was about an expression of interest in cooperation, rather than a confirmed Spanish investment package.
This distinction matters. International interest can be an early step before companies or governments discuss specific projects, financing, partnerships, and investment commitments.
Building a Sustainable Capital
Nusantara is planned with a strong focus on sustainability. At the time of the announcement, the IKN Authority was working with the Asian Development Bank to develop the concept of a carbon-neutral city by 2045.
The city’s development plan also emphasized green areas. According to the IKN Authority, buildings were expected to occupy around 25 percent of the city’s area, while the remaining 75 percent would be maintained as green space. A large portion of that green area was planned to consist of tropical forests.
This concept could create opportunities for international companies that specialize in green infrastructure and sustainable urban development.
International Cooperation Could Be Important
Spain was not the only country showing interest in IKN. Finland had also expressed interest, with representatives from several Finnish companies meeting Indonesian officials to discuss potential contributions to the project.
Other countries, including South Korea and Saudi Arabia, had also previously shown interest in cooperating with Indonesia on IKN development.
For Indonesia, international cooperation can bring more than financing. It can also provide technology, expertise, new business partnerships, and experience from countries that have developed major urban projects.
For Spain, involvement in IKN could become an opportunity to share its experience while exploring potential business opportunities in Indonesia’s new capital.
As Nusantara continues to develop, international interest will be something to watch. Spain’s expression of interest may become an opening for future cooperation, especially in sectors related to sustainable infrastructure, urban planning, and modern city development.
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