REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BATAM -- About 35 new companies are recorded in the January-March 2014 period to have started operations in the Batam Free Trade Zone, the Batam Free Trade Zone Administration (BP Batam) spokesman said.

Administration (BP Batam) Dwi Djoko Wiwoho said here on Sunday.

"Mostly they are companies which have made the commitment to do business in Batam in the previous years," BP Batam Dwi Djoko Wibowo said here on Sunday.

He added that the 35 companies are operating in various sectors namely trading in heavy equipments, ship reparation, boat and ship production, clothing company, manufacturing equipment and printing company.

According to him the new companies operating in Batam are owned either by Indonesian or joint venture between foreign and local investors. Among foreign investors investing in Batam earlier this year are those coming from Singapore, Malaysia, Italy, the United Kingdom, Australia, Hong Kong, China, India, New Zealand and Japan.

"The total number of investment made on the first four months of 2014 in Batam is US$155.5 million," Dwi said.

Dwi said the achievement made by BP Batam in attracting new investors in the first quarter of 2014 is impressive despite previous concern that the implementation of general elections this year might negatively impact investment situation in Indonesia.

"Up till now, investment in Batam is not yet impacted by the general elections," Dwi added.

The Management Batam Free Port and Trade Zone Administration (BP Batam) earlier said the new foreign investment target in Batam, Riau Island, is set at US$350 million for 2014.

In 2012, there 48 new investment projects in Batam and 13 foreign companies invested for expansion.

In 2013, there were 80 companies invested in Batam including for expansion.

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