Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands (ANTARA News) - Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo is scheduled to meet with businessmen and local government officials here on Monday to discuss problems arising from the implementation of Batam, Bintan and Karimun free trade and free port zones.

The meeting would take place in Batam on Monday evening (March 7), Head of the Riau Islands Provincial Industry and Trade Office Syed M Taufik here on Sunday.

"The meeting will discuss efforts to improve the implementation of FTZ (free trade and free port zones). The government is trying to keep the FTZ interesting for investors," he said.

He said the government was trying to minimize obstacles in implementing the FTZ. The government`s present policies on the FTZ would hopefully be able to attract more investment in Batam, Bintan and Karimun islands.

The government had always improved the mechanism of implementing the FTZ based on businessmen`s aspirations and shortcomings found by officers in the field, he said.

Several policies which were not relevant to the implementation of the FTZ had been improved because they confused officers in the field, he said.

"The policy on master list for goods coming in and out of the FTZ port has been abolished. It is now enough for businessmen to report goods coming in and out of the port to customs and excise officers," he said. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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