Singapore to open consulate general in Batam

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Thu, 10/02/2008 4:12 PM  |  National

The Singaporean government plans to open a consulate general's office in Batam, Riau Islands province, in December to support the implementation of a Special Economic Zone cooperation project with Indonesia, a Singaporean diplomat said Thursday.

"Batam in Riau Islands province is located near Singapore and therefore we deem it necessary to open a consulate general's office there," said Raj Kumar, the Singaporean diplomat in Batam, as quoted by Antara news agency.

He said the preparations for the opening of the consulate general in Batam were now underway and it was expected to strengthen the relations between the two countries, especially with Riau Islands province.

"We hope the office can be opened in December," Raj Kumar said when accompanying Singapore's senior foreign minister in an Idul Fitri call on the governor of Riau Islands province.

The Special Economic Zone cooperation is expected to be between Singapore and the islands of Batam, Bintan and Karimun. (ast)

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