Batam (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Singapore discussed several fields for cooperation at the 7th Singapore-Indonesia Six Bilateral Economic Working Groups, Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) in Singapore on Tuesday.

Dendi Gustinandar, Promotion Director and Public Relations for the Management Board of Batam's Free Trade Zone, said those at the meeting discussed several areas for cooperation in Batam, Bintan and Karimun, as well as the special economic zone, investment, labor, transportation, agribusiness and tourism.

"This meeting is a follow-up to the activities of the Co-chairs of the Batam, Bintan and Karimun (BBK) Joint Working Groups in Singapore on July 10, 2019," he said.

In relation to Batam, Dendi said, SOM discussed the success of Batam in attracting Pegatron, the second largest electronics manufacturer in the world.

The success of drawing Pegatron's investment is expected to be a positive trend in attracting Pegatron's supporting suppliers to invest in Batam.

In addition, those at the meeting discussed a number of infrastructure developments, in order to improve logistics in Batu Ampar Port by adding new facilities, such as a mobile crane and reach stacker, as well as additional routes for Batam-Singapore shipping.

"With these improvements, it is expected to reduce logistics costs in Batam by 50 percent to 250 to 350 SGD," he said.

Dendi had proposed a plan to cooperate with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) for a logistics-related internship program in Singapore.

With the apprenticeship program, he said, participants could learn about the logistics process at the port of Singapore.

Related news: Jokowi addresses obstacle facing Likupang economic zone development

Related news: Mandalika development meets high standards: President

Related news: Indonesia to reclaim control of FIR above Riau from Singapore



Translator: Yuniati Jannatun Naim, Bambang
Editor: Azizah Fitriyanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2019