Batam

Infobox Islands
name = Batam

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Location map|Indonesia|lat=1.066667|long=104.016667
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native name link =http://www.pemko-batam.go.id/
location = Southeast Asia
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archipelago = Riau Archipelago
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area = 415 km²
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country = Indonesia
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population = 713.960
population as of = 2006
density =
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website= [http://www.pemko-batam.go.id/ pemko-batam.go.id] The Batam island in Riau Islands Province of Indonesia, known for its free trade zone area as part of the Sijori Growth Triangle, is located 20 km (12.5 miles) off Singapore's south coast. The 415 km² (160 miles²) island has a population of 713,960 in December 2006 [ [http://www.batam.go.id/home/eng/data_kependudukan.php Bida Website ] ] , most of whom are Malays (85%) and Chinese (14%). A few indigenous Orang Laut tribes also live on the island.

In the 1970s, the island underwent a major transformation from a largely forested area into a major harbor and industrial zone. The population drastically grew from a few thousand in the 1960s into hundreds of thousands.Fact|date=February 2007 Located close to Singapore and endowed with a much cheaper labour force, several Singaporean companies have established factories in Batam.

The official language on the island is Indonesian, but due to the sizeable Chinese population, Chinese dialects like Teochew and Mandarin are somewhat widely spoken. Apart from industrial zones, the islands have several resorts and tourist destinations.

SEZ - Special Economic Zones

Since 2006, the Indonesian Islands of Batam, Bintan and Karimun as well as Singapore benefit from the new SEZ scheme introduced by Indonesia and Singapore. Under this rule there will be no tax paid for shipments between these islands. This was introduced to help the economy in this region.

FTZ - Free Trade Zone

Since 29 June 2007, Indonesian government gives full free trade zone status for Batam and enclave status for Bintan and Karimun. This is to address the issue of legal certainty for investors.

According to the plan, Batam will be transformed into shipyard, electronic, and mecatronic industrial development centers; Bintan into textile, footwear, and tourism industrial development centers; and Karimun into shipyard, metal, component, agricultural, and marine produce industrial development centers.

Geography

Batam is located East of Karimun and Bulan Island, West of Bintan, North of Rempang, and South of Singapore. Riau Strait ("Selat Riau") separates Batam and Bintan.

Communities
* Northwest : Sekupang
* North Central : Jodoh, Nagoya, Sungai Panas, Batam Centre, Balai, Batu Ampar, and Bengkong

Transport

Ferry service to nearby cities/countries such as Bintan, Karimun, Singapore and Johor (Malaysia) is the most popular form of transportation. Hang Nadim Airport is the island's only airport with most flights going between Batam and Jakarta.

The ferry ride between Batam and Singapore takes less then one hour.There are several ferry companies operating this route:
* Penguin
* Batam Fast
* Wavemaster

See also

*Bintan
*Nagoya, Batam

References

Internal links

* List of Indonesia-related topics
* Shopping malls in Batam

External links

* [http://www.pemko-batam.go.id/ Official Website]
*