SINGAPORE : Singapore will be opening a consulate in Batam later this year.

Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Balaji Sadasivan, who is on a two-day visit to Batam, made the announcement on Friday.

Speaking at the Singapore National Day Reception on the Indonesian island, Dr Balaji said this is the result of expanding relations with Batam, Bintan and Karimun.

He hopes this will elevate bilateral cooperation to an even higher plane.

Dr Balaji noted that Singapore-Indonesia relations are excellent.

Last year, Singapore was the largest investor in Indonesia with a total of 124 projects worth US$3.75 billion in realised investments.

Singapore is also Indonesia's second-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching US$66 billion last year, an increase of 5.5 per cent over 2006. - CNA/ms