Batam, Riau Islands (ANTARA) – Mayor of Batam Amsakar Achmad emphasized that strong bilateral relations between Batam and Singapore must be further strengthened to unlock new economic opportunities for both regions.
Amsakar expressed confidence that deeper ties will solidify Batam’s position as a key strategic hub within the broader Indonesia-Singapore economic framework.
Speaking in an official statement released in Batam on Friday, Amsakar highlighted geographical proximity as a critical asset for advancing cross-border cooperation across various sectors, including investment, tourism, trade, and human resource development.
“We must continue to maintain and improve the good relations that have existed so closely,” Amsakar said following his attendance at the Singapore National Day Reception in Batam on Thursday evening (Sept. 3).
“This geographical proximity is a great asset to continue to open up various new cooperation opportunities … which are mutually beneficial for both parties,” the mayor added.
Amsakar expressed confidence that deeper ties would further solidify Batam’s position as a key strategic hub within the broader Indonesia-Singapore economic framework.
Singapore plays a vital role in sustaining Batam’s local economy, particularly through foreign direct investment (FDI) and international tourist arrivals.
In the first half of 2026, Singaporean investment in Batam reached Rp10.89 trillion (approximately US$617.1 million), representing 36.44 percent of total foreign investment entering the municipality.
These investments are increasingly targeting high-tech sectors, including data centers and artificial intelligence development.
Batam also relies heavily on Singapore for tourism revenue, with visitors from the neighboring city-state consistently accounting for the largest share of foreign tourist arrivals recorded by the Batam Central Statistics Agency (BPS) through the first half of the year.
Attending the reception, Singapore’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim highlighted the region’s economic performance, noting that the Riau Islands’ economic growth rate of 6.94 percent significantly outpaced Indonesia’s national average of 5.11 percent, while Batam itself recorded annual growth of 6.76 percent.
Zhulkarnain pointed to key local operations, including marine engineering firm Seatrium and the Batam Tourism Polytechnic, as prime examples of successful partnerships strengthening regional industries and workforce capabilities.
“We hope that cooperation between Indonesia—especially the Riau Islands Province and Batam City—and Singapore will continue to run very well. Hopefully, the two countries will always progress, prosper, and continue to grow together in a spirit of solid partnership,” he noted.
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Translator: Amandine Nadja, Yashinta Difa
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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