Batam (gokepri) — Amsakar Achmad, the newly elected mayor of Batam, was sworn in Thursday (20/2/2025) as the head of the Batam Free Trade Zone and Free Port Authority (BP Batam), a powerful body overseeing the island’s special economic status.
The appointment, made by Airlangga Hartarto, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, consolidates power in Amsakar’s hands and underscores the government’s push to revitalize the region.
Amsakar will be joined by Li Claudia Chandra, Batam’s deputy mayor, who will serve as the free trade zone authority’s deputy head. The appointments, formalized through a decree issued by the Batam Free Trade Zone and Free Port Council, are effective immediately.
“This morning, President Prabowo Subianto swore in Mr. Amsakar Achmad as the Mayor of Batam and Mrs. Li Claudia as the Deputy Mayor,” Mr. Hartarto said at the ceremony. He expressed optimism that the new leadership would usher in an era of progress for Batam, transforming it into a hub for both industry and services.
The ceremony, held in Jakarta, was attended by high-ranking officials, including Susiwijono, the Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, and Elen Setiadi, a Deputy Minister.
Hartarto emphasized the need for Batam to sharpen its competitive edge and address the challenge of limited land availability. He suggested that the nearby islands of Rempang, Galang, and Galang Baru could hold potential for future development.
“Land governance is essential for investment certainty,” Mr. Hartarto said, adding that investment services must be streamlined. He voiced confidence in Mr. Achmad and Ms. Chandra’s ability to coordinate with stakeholders and government agencies.
Batam has experienced robust economic growth in recent years, outpacing both the Riau Islands Province and the national average. In 2023, the city’s economy grew by 7.04 percent, according to Statistics Indonesia, while the province expanded by 5.20 percent and the nation by 5.05 percent. Growth continued into 2024, with a 7.50 percent increase in the third quarter. Batam’s labor market is also strong, with 656,000 workers, representing 70 percent of the working-age population, employed.
The island city’s unique status as the only location in Indonesia with three Special Economic Zones – focused on aerospace, digital technology, and health tourism – further positions it for growth. Mr. Hartarto said that both domestic and foreign investment were crucial for Batam’s future and expressed hope that the new leadership would attract significantly more capital.
A recent government regulation (PP Number 4 of 2025) formalized the changes to the Batam Free Trade Zone and Free Port Authority’s structure, placing the mayor and deputy mayor in charge.
Mr. Hartarto also acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing leadership, Muhammad Rudi and Purwiyanto, praising their work in developing Batam’s infrastructure.
Mr. Achmad, in his remarks, called for unity and collaboration within the free trade zone authority to maximize its potential and attract greater investment.
The ceremony underscored the importance of Batam to Indonesia’s economic strategy and the government’s commitment to fostering growth in the region.
Read Next: Sembcorp Returns to Batam with Ambitious Green Industrial Projects
Read more from us Google News
