At the end of December 2007, Batam has accumulated a total of approximately U.S. $ 13.08 billion in investments consist of U.S. $ 2.61 billion from the government and the investment of U.S. $ 10.47 billion of private investment. Government invests in infrastructure development. Private investment consists of more than U.S. $ 5.71 billion of domestic investment, and U.S. $ 4.76 billion of foreign investment. More than 973 foreign companies operating in Batam, while the number of local companies, nearly 10,000.
Foreign investment application is processed with one-stop service policy in Batam. All permits and licenses required to start the construction process under one roof by a unit of investment services in Sumatera Promotion Center building. This unit is a policy of licensing and permits relating to investment that includes the Capital Investment Coordinating Board office, and Immigration Law, Labor, Taxation, Customs and Excise of Batam, and the Batam Industrial Development Authority. Batam is also the first city in the country implementing the National Single Window Pilot Project, the software was launched in late 2006. This system aims to reduce costs and handling the process of export and import customs duties and taxes & procedures at the port of Batam. In the long run, the expected product from Batam will become more competitive for the global market.
Companies operating in Batam are allowed to have up to 99% of foreign ownership. Visa on Arrival can be obtained for most of the foreign countries in Batam. Foreigners are also allowed to buy and own homes, even if they do not work in Batam. So, Batam can be home to two foreign countries. All this reflects the Indonesian government's commitment to fully support the development of Batam. The involvement of the private sector with strong support by the government is one of the ingredients for successful development.
