President Prabowo, BP Batam Discuss Accelerated Investment, Aligned Strategic Policy

President Prabowo holds a meeting with the head of BP Batam at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta on Thursday (5/22). (Photo by: BPMI of the Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo held a meeting with the Batam Development Authority (BP Batam) at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday (5/22). In the meeting, Head of BP Batam Amsakar Achmad reported to the President on the progress of BP Batam’s work, which focused on efforts to accelerate investment and align strategic policies between the central and regional governments.

“Thanks be to God, this afternoon we have the opportunity to meet President Prabowo Subianto. In this meeting, the President allowed us to report the progress of BP Batam’s work,” said Amsakar after the meeting.

During the meeting, Amsakar conveyed several of BP Batam’s initiatives to encourage a better and more conducive investment climate, one of which is through an integrated land management system aimed at organizing and accelerating efficient land management.

“We reported our plan to accelerate investment in the region, one of which is by land structuring through a land management system,” he explained.

Additionally, Amsakar said that BP Batam had simplified the licensing process by eliminating mandatory building and environmental planning permit and integrating services between the Batam City Government and BP Batam.

Amsakar said that BP Batam asked for the President’s directive regarding the focus of upcoming work, especially to achieve the economic growth target in the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN). Regarding RPJMN’s target, Amsakar is optimistic as economic growth and investment in Batam shows a good trend.

“The economic growth target in RPJMN is set at 8 percent, God willing, Batam will strive for more. Data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), and Institute for Economic and Social Research Universitas Indonesia (LPEM UI) – which are BP Batam’s partners – reveals that economic and investment growth in Batam has seen a good trend,” he said.

According to Amsakar, President Prabowo responded to the report by fully supporting BP Batam’s efforts. Moreover, President Prabowo would also like to adjust regulations that may hinder investment development.

“Mr. President gave a directive that we must continue the effort, and the President will harmonize regulations that may hinder investment development,” he said (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of the Presidential Secretariat) (TCUD/MUR)