"Batams area is strategic for developing industries and business activities as it is located 20 kilometers from the southern coast of Singapore," Deputy Chief of BP Batam Jon Arizal stated at a seminar on business opportunities in Batam here on Wednesday.

Speaking at the forum themed "Batam: Renewed Business Opportunities," Arizal affirmed that Batam has actually developed into a prospective industrial and investment zone.

With its strategic location near Asian nations such as Singapore and Malaysia, Batam could serve as a gateway for trade in the ASEAN region.

Moreover, he said the government is participating to offer a conducive business climate that has also attracted investors to Batam.

Arizal noted that the strong support of the government and other stakeholders will accelerate the development of Batam into a trade zone.

Managing Director of Indonesia-Netherlands Association (INA) Elmar Bouma stated that his side has promoted Indonesia as a business zone and an investment market.

He remarked that by the holding the forum, which was attended by European investors, Batam will become increasingly popular among the businesses.

"This activity will further popularize Batam among the investors coming from Europe," Bouma affirmed.

The seminar was organized by BP Batam in its capacity as one of the operators of the Batam Free Trade Zone. The business workshop was held in cooperation with the European Union-Indonesia Business Network (EIBN).

The EIBN is a consortium of business representatives or business communities from European countries. The EIBN focuses on promoting Indonesia in the European countries as a nation that has potential in the areas of trade and business. It also supports the business activities of European nations in Indonesia.