Batam, Riau Islands (ANTARA News) - The Management Body of Batam Free Port and Trade Zone (BP Batam) said new foreign investment target in Batam, Riau Island, is set at US$350 million for 2014.

"We are convinced the target would be achieved based on the trend in 2012 and 2013," BP Batam spokesman Dwi Djoko Wiwoho said here on Sunday.

Dwi Djoko said despite political heat ahead of legislative and presidential elections in 2014, he was still optimistic that the target, which is the same as in 2013, would be achieved.

The main foreign investors in Batam are expected to come from Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, China, Taiwan and Japan.

The foreign investors are interested in doing business mainly in electronic manufacturing, shipbuilding industry and oil and gas mining supporting industry, he said.

Service and trade sectors have also drawn growing number of investors to Batam in 2012 and 2013, he added.

"We hope that security will remain favorable in Batam in 2014. Security is one of the most factor to be considered by investors," he said.

In 2012 , there 48 new investment projects in Batam and 13 foreign companies invested for expansion.

In 2013, there were 80 companies invested in Batam including for expansion.

(SYS/H-ASG/A014)

Editor: Suryanto
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