With the latest figure, Batam's economic growth stood at its highest rate in the last five years, as well as being higher than the overall provincial economic growth of around 5.09 percent and the national rate of 5.31 percent.

Chairman of Badan Pengusahaan Batam (BP Batam) Muhammad Rudi said that BP Batam's integrated and comprehensive planning was able to boost Batam's development targets and drive the regional economic sector.

“We hope that public infrastructure investment will have a positive impact on economic growth. With the direction of Batam's development policy that has been prepared [by BP Batam], we hope that this figure can continue to increase to 7 percent," he said.

Meanwhile, other economic indicators also showed positive numbers.

Batam's export value in 2022 reached US$15.56 billion, an increase of 29.29 percent compared with 2021. The largest export commodity of machinery/electrical equipment was valued at $7.24 billion, followed by mechanical aircraft maintenance machines at $1.52 billion.

The Batam’s cumulative export value contributed 79.29 percent of the total cumulative exports of the Riau Islands, which were valued at $19.62 billion.

The largest export volume and value by destination country is still dominated by Singapore, followed by the United States, China, Denmark and India.

Meanwhile, total imports from January to December 2022 amounted to $13.3 billion, an increase of 20.25 percent from the previous year due to an increase in cumulative imports of industrial products.

The Human Development Index (HDI) for Batam in 2022 was also the highest in the province, recorded at 81.67, while the Riau Islands’ HDI is 76.46.

"The development of Batam is organized in terms of land, sea and air transportation. Infrastructure is a priority, as we encourage it to provide multiple effects, such as opening the way for investment and employment, enabling various economic activities to grow, increasing connectivity and supporting the productivity of society and industry." Muhammad Rudi said.

At the same time, Batam's strengthening economic conditions do not make him complacent, encouraging others at BP Batam to complete the 2023-2024 priority projects in accordance with the established budget plans.

The infrastructure realization figure has continued to skyrocket from 2018 to 2022 with a rate of 45.28 percent. A total of 59 strategic infrastructure projects were completed by BP Batam in 2021, along with 32 regional strategic infrastructure projects completed in 2022.

Furthermore, 17 infrastructure projects will continue in 2023 and 24 projects will be prepared in 2024, which are expected to continue to stimulate upstream and downstream economic activity.

Investment realization figures also continued to rise. Based on data from the Investment Activity Report (LKPM), realization of foreign investment in 2022 increased by 48.5 percent with a total of 1,738 projects, and a total value of US$ 746.85 million.

"Insy’allah, our economy will strengthen. But we must be cautious. We continue to improve the infrastructure and programs to attract investment. Furthermore, it is our duty to all work hand in hand to keep Batam safe," Muhammad Rudi concluded.