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          Development Agency is collaborating with the Indonesian   The FAST programme, which will last for 3.5 years (August
          Forestry Entrepreneurs Association (APHI) to encourage   2024 to March 2028) with facilitation from UNDP is expected
          improvements in the quality of forestry human resources.  to increase global acceptance of Indonesian commodities.
            A memorandum of understanding was signed by the Head   This programme is in line with the Government’s efforts

          of Kemenhut, Indra Exploitasia and the General Chairperson   to respond to global green policies and strengthen the ISPO
          of APHI Prof. Indroyono Soesilo.                   tracking system so that Indonesian palm oil products come
            Indra said that the cooperation that was established is   from areas free of deforestations.
          expected  to  help  increase  the  capacity  of  forestry  human
          resources.                                         Forestry targets 400,000 job creation
            Indra hopes that APHI members can accommodate students   The Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, said the government
          who will undergo Field Work Practices. "We hope that students   is targeting an investment of IDR19.9 trillion in the forestry
          can become skilled workers in the forestry sector to support   sector which is expected to create 400,000 jobs.
          the President's ideals regarding down-streaming.”     This was reported during a meeting with Commission IV of

                                                             the Indonesian House of Representatives. The Minister stated
          Sustainable agriculture and food security initiative  that the theme for the Ministry of Forestry's development in
          A new initiative has been launched, namely the Forest,   2025 is to enhance forest production and promote downstream
          Agriculture and Sustainable Trade (FAST) Programme.   activities to ensure equitable economic development across
            This initiative is a collaboration between Indonesia and the   regions.
          UK and aims to increase the sustainability of the agricultural   The forestry development theme for 2025 aims to achieve
          sector as well as strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesian   several objectives. The first is to enhance economic growth by

          commodities in the global market.                  increasing the contribution to GDP and increase exports by
            At the launch of the FAST Programme the Coordinating   three to five percent; second, equitable regional development
          Minister for the Indonesian Economy, Airlangga Hartarto, said   through increasing the capacity of forest farming groups by
          “in recent years, the UK has become Indonesia’s main partner   seven to eight percent and third; reducing deforestation by
          in efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and increase   three to four percent.
          food security”.
            The FAST Programme is designed to support small farmers   Furniture and craft industry urged - be aware global
          face the challenges of modern agribusiness with better access   challenges
          to financing and technology.                       Indonesia's furniture and craft industry is facing significant

            In line with the vision of  Advanced Indonesia and the
          Asta Cita national agenda the Indonesian Government has                                             Eric Petschek
          set priorities in achieving food and energy security as well as
          strengthening the downstream industry to increase domestic
          added value.
            One of the strategic steps taken has been to expand access
          to financing and production facilities for farmers through the

          Plantation Fund Management Agency which now not only
          manages palm oil funds but also coconut and cocoa.
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