On 11 February 2015, APRIL Group - the pulp and paper business within RGE group of companies - joined the editors of The Economist, members of the new Indonesian government, international experts and business leaders in Jakarta, for the Indonesia Summit 2015, themed ‘New light or false dawn’. Lively discussions and debates about the macro-economic and political challenges and opportunities facing Indonesia were exchanged in the one-day event hosted by The Economist.
In a panel discussion on sustainability issues titled “Resource demand, Governance and Environmental Calamity”, the panelists from APRIL Group, World Bank, United Nations Development Program, Indonesian Palm Oil Association, Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry, tackled the issues around the environmental challenges brought about by population growth and economic development in Indonesia.
Tony Wenas, Managing Director of PT. Riau Andalan Pulp & Paper, the operating unit of APRIL Group, addressed the issue of deforestation and the need for collaboration between government, business and non-government organizations. He noted that companies in the forestry industry, including APRIL Group, has much to offer in terms of experience and capability and is a ‘part of the solution’ to sustainability.
“The areas granted by the government to forestry plantation companies are degraded forests. We reforest them by plantation and we also conserve the areas that include high conservation value forest. Up till now, we have conserved 250,000 hectares and an additional 40,000 hectares of ecosystem restoration is ongoing,” said Tony Wenas.
As Indonesia progresses, the government, business and non-government organizations need to work together to deal with the complex relationship between environmental and social and economic needs of its community. Tony Wenas went on to talk about APRIL Group’s efforts to balance safeguarding the environment and looking after the interests of local community, with running a successful commercial business. APRIL Group’s efforts are in keeping with the focus of all RGE Group companies to practice the founder and CEO Sukanto Tanoto’s philosophy of good environmental stewardship and strong corporate social responsibility.
