KUCHING: Riau Islands governor Ansar Ahmad has invited investors and business associations from Sarawak to explore investment opportunities in the Riau Islands.
He seeks to strengthen the relationship and promote investment between the two regions, highlighting various opportunities in places like Batam, Bintan, Karimun, Natuna, and the Anambas Islands.
“Each of these areas has the status of a regency, district, or city, and Sarawak is invited to participate in the investment development in these regions.
He added that the Riau Islands have also been granted the status of a free trade zone and a free port by the Indonesian government, with some areas designated as special economic zones.
“This provides various facilities, such as tax exemptions and investment permits specifically provided and managed by special management bodies,” he said when met at the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia here on Tuesday (Nov 7).
He added that this investment promotion has yielded positive results, with a significant influx of investments into the Riau Islands, especially due to their proximity to the Malacca Strait.
He highlighted that this presents a great opportunity for the Riau Islands, through which approximately 90,000 large and small ships pass through the Malacca Strait each year.
“May the cooperation based on history, psychological factors, and strong relationships continue to develop, and both countries can make more efficient use of this border area.”
Ansar is on a working visit to Kuching from Nov 6 to 9 with the aim to strengthen the cooperation between the Riau Islands and Sarawak.
