Jakarta. Batam's unemployment rate has been on the decline over the past years, according to the city's development agency.

Data showed that Batam's open unemployment rate dropped from 11.64 percent in 2021 to 9.56 the following year. It eventually went down to 8.14 percent in 2023. According to BP Batam head Muhammad Rudi, infrastructure development is key to convincing investors, which will eventually lead to job creation.

"Praise be to God, the unemployment rate in Batam has been on the decline over the past two years. As connectivity improves, investors will feel more comfortable in investing in Batam, and this can help spur jobs," Rudi said in a statement.

Thus, Rudi told his staff members to remain professional when it comes to infrastructure development as Batam seeks to be a modern city by 2029. 

"We should make investors comfortable. If we do not build Batam, no one will come here anymore. People will be prosperous when Batam advances," Rudi said.