Singapore

This strategic island called Singapore was first inhabited by regional fishermen and pirates, to later become part of the Sumatran Empire of Srivijaya. European control of the Malaysian area began in the 16th century, and in 1819, Singapore was founded as a British trading colony, and was once the site of one of Britain's most important naval bases. Malaysia itself was formed in 1963 when Singapore and the states of Sabah and Sarawak joined the Peninsular Malaysia Federation, however, Singapore left in 1965 to become a separate nation. This modern economic powerhouse's is one of the busiest in the world, and Singapore has become a major worldwide banking, ship building and petroleum center. In the last few decades, this melting pot of cultures has moved on to the "A List" of international travelers, and is today one of the most sophisticated tourist destination on the planet. A bridge and causeway connect Singapore to the Malaysia mainland, and speaking of land, because of the aggressive current patterns of the Strait of Singapore.

Batam City

Batam City

In 1970 Batam had no cars and roads (98% forest); population was 7,000. McDermott's Batu Ampar yard was Batam's first industrial project, started in 1968. Batam today is a major logistics base for many of the world's major contractors, including Bechtel, Shlumberger, McConnel Dowell, Global Industries, Saipen, Ballast Nedham, Halliburton, Weatherford, Nippon Steel and Hyundai. Over 700 foreign companies have manufacturing or logistics operations on the island.
Electronics is Batam's largest economic sector, followed by oil service/construction, ship repair. The city has grown at 30% per year for each of the past 11 years. Growth in 2002/2003 was closer to 32% per year. Few places in the world are expanding this fast. Despite negative reports in the foreign media, Batam is actually a safe place for the 1.2 million foreign visitors who come each year. Very few ever have a problem. Batam is Indonesia's wealthiest city. Almost no one in Batam comes from Batam. Well over half the 1 million population is single, aged between 20 and 30.
The first thing many notice about Batam is that, even though it is part of Indonesia, in many ways it is a separate entity. Whilst other places are effected by the political and economic climate, Batam remains a constant with none of the the violence or problems located elsewhere. In fact, the economic condition here is more closely related to that of Singapore.
VV

E-mail: lionvoe@yahoo.com.sg