Finance Minister convey concerned about the slow growth of investment in Batam

Finance Minister Agustin Martowardojo convey concernedabout the slow growth of investment in Batam Free Trade Zone. Theamount of economic potential that is owned, they are not able to beutilized optimally so that lags behind Batam free trade zones inneighboring countries."There wasturmoil when she sees Batam," said Finance Minister Agustin Wardojo inthe show titled Dialogue Investment Prospects in Batam which wasattended by 91 invited representing 71 companies, on Monday(07/03/2011).One indicator is the service loading and unloading of containers. According to Finance Minister, Batu Ampar Terminal service capabilities are still around 200,000 teus. In Port Klang and Tanjung Release in Malaysia, each has reached 8 million and 6 million teus teus. While in Singapore has reached 38 million teus.Finance Minister who had visited the terminal Terminal Batu Ampar rate is still far behind. Inthe terminal which has been designated as a free port in order tosupport the status of Batam as a free trade area there has been nogovernment-owned cranes, minimal lighting, bad roads, and stillmixed loading and unloading of goods conventional packaging andcontainers.In fact, Agus continued, various indicators of climate-related investment in Indonesia showed a positive trend. It was indicated to the healthy condition of the country's balance of payments, fiscal, capital markets, and banking."Thepotential for large Batam, but if not immediately prioritize well anddid not really execute it, then the result will not be good," said Agus.Thelack of infrastructure as the main issue in order to spur the growth ofinvestment, according to Finance Minister, is understood thegovernment. However, the central government should still be realistic in allocating national budget."There'sno way we allocate the maximum budget for infrastructure because itendangers the state's financial condition. So we encourage thedevelopment of infrastructure is done by public private partnership. Toanyone who is interested in specific areas, I am ready to giveguarantees," he said.Meanwhile, in a dialogue, a number of employers expressed the problems they faced. Amongthem are the high tariffs charged for electricity because of employers'subsidies to the community and slow the flow of goods that cause 70percent of transportation costs precisely when the goods have beenimported in the customs territory of Indonesia.unclear role Exploitation Agency Batam and Batam City Government is also mentioned. Highlighting the role of local governmentthat is not clear in supporting the growth of investment.