"Batam is a strategic city located near Singapore and Malaysia. We want to build Nongsa like the `Silicon Valley` in the US," Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education Mohamad Nasir said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government plans to build Batam Island as a digital industrial park to develop the digital economy and entertainment in the region.
"Batam is a strategic city located near Singapore and Malaysia. We want to build Nongsa like the Silicon Valley in the US," Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education Mohamad Nasir said here on Monday.
According to Nasir, Batam has constructed the Nongsa Digital Park (NDP) that will be developed as a startup center in Indonesia.
Nasir said the animation company, Infinite Studio, has occupied the NDP area.
The government considered that Batam has a good potential as the city is located near Singapore and Malaysia that have high demand for digital industry.
The startup organization must be prepared to provide the digital necessities to area not only in Singapore and Malaysia, but also in Indonesia.
"We hoped the NDP could be a startup center on digital economy sector. Thus, we would like to sign an MoU with a university in Singapore to support the digital economic development," Nasir added.
The Indonesian government plans to sign the MoU during the 50 years of Indonesia-Singapore diplomatic relationship celebration in Singapore.
Nasir said the ministry is ready to prepare the regulation to support parties who develop digital economy in Indonesia. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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