President Jokowi Expects Batam to be Developed to Full Potential

President Jokowi is in conversation with Vice President Jusuf Kalla before leading a Limited Meeting on the Development of Batam, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (12/12). (Photo by: Jay/PR Division)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, on Wednesday (12/12), once again led a Limited Meeting on the Development of Batam, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta.

The President said that limited meetings discussing the development of Batam and its surrounding areas were held on December 2015, January 2016, and March 2017. “It has been discussed many times,” President Jokowi added.

The Government, the President added, expected Batam and its surrounding area which considered having strategic position to be developed to its full potential so it can attract more investors.

Therefore, President Jokowi called on Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution to explain Batam development including its transformation from Free Trade Zone (FTZ) to Special Economic Zone (SEZ), as well as to report on matters related to permits, legal certainty for investors, infrastructure provision, seaports, and others.

Also attending the Limited Meeting were, among others, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, Minister of State-owned Enterprises Rini Soemarno, Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita, Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya, Minister of Communication and Informatics Rudiantara, Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo, Minister of Manpower Hanif Dhakiri, Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H. Laoly, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, Head of Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Thomas Lembong, Head of Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP) Ardan Adiperdana, Vice Finance Minister Mardiasmo, Vice Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Archandra Tahar, Chairman of Batam Indonesia Free Trade Zone Authority (BP Batam) Lukita Dinarsyah Tuwo, and echelon I officials of the Presidential Institution. (FID/EN/JAY/ES)

Translated by : Rany Anjany Subachrum
Edited by : Yuyu Mulyani