Be a Game Changer? : SUMITOMO FORESTRY CO., LTD., Tackles on Global Development Challenges in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan

On June 25, 2025, SUMITOMO FORESTRY CO., LTD. with its counterpart, Ministry of Forestry and University of Palangka Raya., held a reporting session on the result of Proof of Concept (PoC) through the JICA-Biz “SDGs Business Validation Survey for Consulting Service on Land Use Plan of Peatlands”. The session was attended various stake holders from central and local Government, business entities, academia, NGOs and local communities.

The project implementor SUMITOMO FORESTRY is a Japanese mega business entity on forestry, manufacturing of timber, building materials, housing, and biomass power generation in worldwide. This project is started from May 2024 as SDGs Business Validation survey (a.k.a. JICA-Biz) with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Directorate General of Pollution and Environmental Damage Control and the Peat and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM) in the Republic of Indonesia. The project provided the know-how of Land Use plan based on field surveys and the use of new observation technologies, such as satellites and drones, plan efficiency of the work. The project aims to spread in the target countries, that have huge peatlands and peat fires that occur repeatedly, thereby contributing to fire prevention, CO2 emission reduction, and biodiversity conservation. Furthermore, the project aims to forestry, agriculture, and carbon credit, and to create employment opportunities.

Attended by approximately 70 diverse project stakeholders, the reporting session featured contributions from several key figures. Representing the President of the University of Palangka Raya, Dr. Natalina Asi, M.A., Vice President for Academic Affairs, delivered a compelling message, "With the vast existence of peat area, we understand that Central Kalimantan has vulnerability. Therefore, it needs a wise sustainable policy where support of all components from society is very necessary."

Similarly, Mr. Anshar S.Hut, M.Si, Head of the Watershed Management and Forest and Land Rehabilitation Division, representing the Head of Forest Services, Central Kalimantan Province, shared his perspective, "On 2015 there was a huge forest fire with very devastating result not only for health but economy of society. As years passed, nowadays the occurrence of forest fire decreased with work together. We’re very welcome with idea for collaboration project which supporting mitigation on climate change."

Mr. SATO Akira, Senior Representative of JICA Indonesia Office mentioned a phase of Indonesian “GOTONG ROYONG” and said, “We believe that this project, in which Japanese companies and Indonesian stakeholders join hands and work together, is what will create a wonderful co-creation between Indonesia and Japan. “

The JICA Biz (SDGs Business Supporting Surveys) is a project that aims to provide partner countries with high-quality, innovative technologies, knowledge, and ideas from Japanese companies to solve development issues through business.

JICA works to co-create value by utilizing the networks, relationships of trust and know-how with governments of developing countries that it has built through Official Development Assistance (ODA).

JICA Indonesia Office
NIWA Kenji
TEL: +62-21-5795-2112
E-mail: Niwa.Kenji3@jica.go.jp