[Kabar-indonesia] Singapore and Indonesia agree on roadmap to develop Batam, Bintan and Karimun

[Joyo at aol.com]

Channel NewsAsia 
1 September 2006

Singapore and Indonesia agree on roadmap to develop Batam, Bintan and Karimun

By Farah Abdul Rahim, Channel NewsAsia 

Both Singapore and Indonesia have agreed on an Action Roadmap to make it 
easier to do business in the Indonesian islands of Batam, Bintan and Karimun.

This was reached during the second meeting of the Joint Steering Committee, 
or JSC.

The JSC was set up to supervise the implementation of the Framework Agreement 
on Economic Cooperation in the Islands of Batam, Bintan and Karimun signed 
between Singapore and Indonesia on 25 June 2006.

In a statement on Friday, Singapore's Trade and Industry Ministry said the 
roadmap details initiatives in 9 key areas including customs, immigration, 
infrastructure development,manpower wages and taxation to be achieved over the next 
18 months.

The aim is to streamline processes, simplify documentation, improve 
industrial relations and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks.

Both sides have expressed their commitment to achieve the measures in the 
roadmap.

An Integrated Investment Service Centre has already been set up in Batam in 
July.

This serves as a one-stop service centre for the processing of all permits 
and paperwork pertaining to investment, taxation, customs, manpower, and 
immigration.

Singapore's Trade and Industry Ministry Lim Hng Kiang said that actual 
implementation is critical for the Special Economic Zones initiatives in the islands 
to retain and attract investors.

His Indonesian counterpart Dr Boediono said the success of Batam, Bintan and 
Karimun as Indonesia's first SEZs is important in the country's efforts in 
improving the investment climate.

He added that it will also set a benchmark and example to other areas in 
Indonesia to follow. 

------------------------------------------ 
Joyo Indonesia News Service
------------------------------------------