Minister Maliki announced that both regions would be focusing on investment opportunities in the Nongsa Digital Park special economic zone (KEK) and new potential investments in Nongsa Digital Town. Both zones were designed digital-economy zones that serve as a bridge between tech companies in Singapore and Indonesia, especially those in Batam.

Minister Maliki was guest of honor at the Singapore National Day reception held by the new Singapore consulate general at Marriott Batam Hotel last Thursday. There, he met Riau Islands Governor Riau Ansar Ahmad and chairman of the BP Batam, Muhammad Rudi. During a meeting with Rudi, the foreign minister expressed his delight at seeing Batam’s steady return to pre-pandemic normalcy.

“As soon as travel restrictions eased, I planned to visit Batam first. After the meeting with [Rudi], I was able to get a clearer picture of Batam after the COVID slowdown,” said Minister Maliki. “We also discussed how we can attract more delegates from Singapore to help by conducting specialized-skills training,” he added.

Relations between Singapore and Batam remained strong even throughout the pandemic, with Singapore sending aid to Batam and other cities in Indonesia. In the first semester of 2022 (January-June period), the Investment Coordinating Board recorded Singapore's investment value in Batam at Rp 3.8 trillion (US$567 million).

From Aug. 18-19, Minister Maliki also made visits to the Hang Nadim Airport and Batam Aero Technic as well as the iconic Tanjak mosque.

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