Category: ASEAN

Green Power Energy’s 20 MW Taungdaw Gwin Build-Own-Operate Solar Plant Commissioned in Myanmar

Myanmar’s latest solar energy plant, the 20 megawatt (MW) build-own-operate (BOO) Taungdaw Gwin project, has been officially opened, adding a new chapter to the country’s sustainability and electrification efforts, its developer announced today.

The 20-megawatt Taungdaw Gwin mega-scale solar PV project will contribute to Myanmar’s sustainability and electrification efforts. [Image: GPE]

The project was developed by Green Power Energy Company Limited (GPE), a subsidiary of Gold Energy Company Limited (GE), a leading renewable energy developer in Myanmar.

Taungdaw Gwin is the second mega-scale solar project to be completed by the GE group. Clean Power Energy Limited, another GE subsidiary, completed the 30 MW Thapyay Wa project in Mandalay district in December 2021.

With the official opening of the Taungdaw Gwin project, GE’s solar energy capacity stands at 50 MW. GE also operates the 120 MW Thaukyegat (2) Hydropower Project (TYG), commissioned in 2013.

Located on an 80.9-hectare site southeast of Kyaukse, Myit Thar Township, the Taungdaw Gwin project utilizes a solar tracking system so as to maximize photovoltaic (PV) energy captured by 45,980 solar panels. The project is expected to generate 25.1 MW of direct current or 22.9 MW of alternating current per year.

The Taungdaw Gwin project began transmission to the National Grid on 17 November 2022. The energy output is directly linked to the Taungdaw Gwin substation and is connected to the national grid via a 69.6 km 33-kV transmission line built by GPE.

In line with its commitment to give back to the community, the GPE team conducted an in-depth Environmental and Social Impact Assessment before construction. This enabled an understanding of the impact on nearby communities and the environment and helped to facilitate construction in a responsible and sustainable manner.

Through engaging with local community leaders to understand the needs of the residents surrounding Taungdaw Gwin, the GPE team constructed and installed two overpasses measuring 20.1 metres long by 4.5 metres wide. These and other efforts have improved socio-economic benefits to the community in this otherwise harsh area which had faced challenges of accessibility during the development phase of this important project.

U Zaw Win, Managing Director of GPE, said: “We are proud of the successful completion of the Taungdaw Gwin solar facility. We look forward to a sustainable energy source for the future of Myanmar.

“As a partner in nation-building, GPE is deeply committed to infrastructure development and sustainability in Myanmar. This and other renewable energy projects we are involved in will increase the contribution of renewable energy to the national grid while advancing the country’s national electrification goals.”

About Green Power Energy (GPE)
Green Power Energy Company Limited (GPE), a subsidiary of Gold Energy Company Limited (GE), is a renewable energy developer. GPE completed the Taungdaw Gwin solar PV facility, which was officially opened in December 2022. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, GPE completed the project earlier than scheduled.

The solar energy is connected to the Taungdaw Gwin substation, part of the national grid, via a 69.6 km 33-kV transmission line built by GPE. As GPE continues to build upon its track record and execution capabilities, it remains committed to contributing to Myanmar’s clean energy sector in the coming years. Visit https://gpenergymm.com/.

Indonesia encourages collaboration to achieve blue economy in AIS Forum

Indonesia emphasized the need for collaboration to achieve the blue economy and green economy concepts among the members of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum.

“Next year (in 2023), through the head of state level meeting, we hope the joint commitment of island and archipelagic nations around the world (which are the members of the AIS Forum) will encourage Indonesia to realize its vision as the world’s maritime axis,” Indonesian Coordinating Minister of Marine Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said here on Tuesday.

The AIS Forum, which was initiated in 2018, has held four ministerial-level meetings so far to encourage commitment and discussion between archipelagic and island countries to establish concrete cooperation and collaboration on improving their economy and protecting the marine environment.

Additionally, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi reminded member countries of AIS Forum to be able to synergize with other global initiatives. “We must have the same spirit, namely the spirit of collaboration, because we can only overcome various global challenges if the world is united, not divided,” Marsudi said.

Then, Marsudi added, the AIS Forum should strengthen its commitments to solve common problems in managing the oceans.

In 2023, Indonesia will host the AIS Summit which will be a part of efforts to realize the country’s vision to become a global maritime axis. Indonesia and other archipelagic and island nations on the AIS Forum reiterated to increase commitments and efforts to tackle the danger of climate crisis by strengthening collaboration in the blue economy.

“When we talk about the green economy, we talk about carbon. A coastline is one of the biggest carbon sinks through mangroves and corals,” Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said.

The Indonesian government also committed to achieving Net Zero Emissions (NZE) in 2060 which is expected to grow the investment potential in the blue economy, green economy, and circular economy sectors. Lahadalia also emphasized efforts to protect and restore the wealth of marine resources, including planting mangroves, protecting coral reefs, and preserving marine life.

Indonesia is currently intensifying the implementation of the blue economy and green economy in its investment and development program including the development project for the New National Capital City (IKN).

The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy hoped the city would be able to create an inclusive and sustainable national economic transformation by utilizing digital infrastructure and implementing a green economy. “Thus, the development of IKN is expected to be a new basic in creating the inclusive and sustainable national economic transformation through business modernization, digital infrastructure improvement that implements the green economy and blue economy,” Muhadjir said. The Minister said the new capital city is a national identity and the driver for the Indonesian economy in the future.

According to the data of IKN.go.id, there will be six economic clusters in IKN including Clean Technology Industry Cluster, Integrated Pharmaceutical Industry Cluster, Sustainable Agriculture Industry, Ecotourism and Health Tourism Cluster, Chemical Products and Byproducts Cluster, as well as Low Carbon Energy Cluster. Besides, there will be two supporting clusters derived from the 21st Century Education Cluster, and Smart City and Industry 4.0 Centre.

–Antara

Indonesian new criminal code respects privacy, human rights

Indonesia clarifies that the New Criminal Code was drafted carefully and obeys Human Rights aspects, following the emergence of reactions related to the ratification of the code.

Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej on Friday stated the criminal code was drafted carefully by paying attention to the balance of the interests of individuals, the state, and the public and by taking into account Indonesia’s multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-cultural condition.

Some of the articles criticized by the public include those related to privacy, freedoms of the press, and human rights. One of the issues is regarding the adultery and cohabitation articles in the code.

Hiariej clarified that the adultery and cohabitation articles are complaint-based. Thus, the perpetrator should only be prosecuted on the basis of a complaint, which can only be made by their spouse (for those who are married) or parents or children (for those who are not married).

The articles, he says, are aimed at protecting people from acts of arbitrariness. “When these articles are regulated in the criminal code, there would definitely be no raids,” he added.

Additionally, the Spokesman of the Dissemination Team of the New Criminal Code, Albert Aries, clarified the criminal code has never given additional administrative requirements for tourism players to question people about their marital status. Aries affirmed that people’s privacy is still guaranteed by law in Indonesia, of course, without reducing respect for the values that the country holds.

A criminologist from the University of Indonesia, Adrianus Meliala, expressed optimism that the implementation of the cohabitation article will not violate human rights since it is complaint-based. He said that law enforcement officers must face the discourse with real actions.

Apart from adultery and cohabitation, freedom of expression and freedom of the press are among the issues that have been addressed.

Regarding freedom of expression, deputy minister Hiariej stated that the new criminal code made a clear distinction between critics and defamation. He explained that critics should not be criminalized as they are in the interest of the public in a democratic society, while defamation is deemed a criminal act in any country.

He further said that the freedom of the press is also ensured as the criminal code adopted one of the provisions of the Law on the Press, which states that critics are a form of supervision or public scrutiny.

The spokesman Aries affirmed that the criminal code is in accordance with human rights. “It is not true to say that the Indonesian Criminal Code is inconsistent with human rights,” he stated. The criminal code, says Aries, regulates everything by paying attention to the balance between human rights and human obligations.

In order to pay respect to the general law principles that apply universally, the criminal code adopts the substance of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Treaty of Rome 1950). The code also adopts the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (the New York Convention, 1966), and the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, December 10, 1984.

Written by: Raka Adji, Editor: Rahmad Nasution (c) ANTARA 2022

Indonesia encourages ASEAN-EU partnership conducted based on equality

Indonesian President Joko Widodo attended the 45th ASEAN-European Union (EU) Commemorative Summit held in Brussels, Belgium on Wednesday (December 14).

In his remarks at the Summit, President Jokowi stressed that the partnership between ASEAN and the European Union countries must be based on equality and there should be no coercion. “If we want to build a better partnership, that partnership must be based on equality and without coercion. There can no longer be parties who always dictate and think that their standard is better than others,” he stated. Jokowi said that the 45 years of ASEAN and the European Union partnership had produced some good results.

However, he also acknowledged that not all partnerships can always be good so that some differences must be resolved to create a good one. Therefore, Jokowi asked member countries of the European Union to be able to partner in equality with ASEAN countries.

President Widodo had encouraged that the good relation and economic cooperation between the two regional organizations and all countries in the two regions must continue to be strengthened.

Earlier, he also stated that Indonesia has always encouraged closer cooperation between ASEAN and the EU, who has been an important trading partner of ASEAN. “The trade value between ASEAN and the European Union in 2021 reached US$268.9 billion. The value is the third largest after China and the United States,” he said.

Apart from trade, Jokowi also mentioned that the European Union also plays an important role in foreign direct investment in ASEAN region, with an investment value of up to US$26 billion in 2021, which is the second largest investment after China. Vice versa, ASEAN is an increasingly important partner for the EU given the region’s steady economic growth.

For decades, ASEAN has become an economic powerhouse that offers mutually beneficial cooperation since it has the productivity advantage from each country in the region. “All projections say that Southeast Asia will remain a center of growth. Thus, the partnership with ASEAN will certainly be profitable,” Jokowi pointed out.

In fact, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that the ASEAN region’s economy will remain stable with growth reaching 4.3 percent amid the possibility of a multidimensional crisis at the global level in 2023.

Such an estimation is also reflected on the theme that Indonesia will carry out during its chairmanship in ASEAN next year — “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”, with three priority agendas, namely recovery-rebuilding, digital transformation, and sustainability.

Based on survey from the EU-ASEAN Business Council, some 63 percent of respondents view ASEAN as the region with the best economic opportunities. Meanwhile, 69 percent of respondents expect the ASEAN market to become more important in terms of global revenue in the next two years. Moreover, some 97 percent of respondents expressed hope that negotiation of the ASEAN-EU free trade agreement (FTA) will be accelerated and make good progress to be concluded.

Therefore, regarding the ASEAN-EU long standing relationship, President Jokowi urged all countries in the two regions to build an equal and mutually beneficial partnership in order to recover from the pandemic and the multidimensional crisis that both are currently facing. “We learned an important lesson… that to grow and to prosper together is the only option. We don’t only have to move forward together, but we also have to move forward equally. Let us have a better future together,” Jokowi concluded.

Written by: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga, Editor: Fardah Assegaf (c) ANTARA 2022

Indonesian Criminal Code won’t harm investment

The dissemination team spokesperson of the Draft Law on Criminal Code (RKUHP) Albert Aries clarified the fundamentally misleading news related to the adultery article, which is considered to harm Indonesia’s tourism and investment sectors.

“The adultery article in the new Criminal Code that takes effect three years after its stipulation is an absolute criminal complaint. This means that only the husband or wife (for those bound by marriage) or the parents or children (for those not bound by marriage) can make a complaint. No one else can report or take the law into their own hands. There will be no legal process without a complaint from the entitled and directly harmed parties,” Aries said in his statement on Thursday (Dec 8).

The articles of the Criminal Code that have recently attracted the attention of foreign tourists, including investors, are Article 411 concerning adultery, Article 412 concerning live-in relationships, and Article 424 concerning drinks and intoxicants.

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, has said he believes the newly passed Criminal Code (KUHP), specifically its provisions on live-in relationships, will not affect tourism and creative economy investment in Indonesia. “I am very confident that we can get US$68 billion (in foreign investment), and we can create 2 million jobs in this sector. But, of course, we need support,” he informed here on Saturday (Dec 10).

According to Uno, investors need legal opinion before investing in Indonesia. The legal opinion must give confidence in safe. Uno added that the ministry will still need support and assistance in terms of legal certainty to convince investors to invest.

Upholds Human Rights

Aries also stated that it is not true that Indonesia’s Criminal Code is not following human rights. “We certainly respect United Nations (UN) concern on equality, privacy, religious liberty, and journalism issues. On that basis, the criminal code regulates all of them by paying attention to the balance between human rights and human obligations,” Aries said.

The reason is that the legal politics contained in the Criminal Code are aimed at respecting and upholding human rights based on the ideals of Pancasila (the Five Principles), BhinnekaTunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, and the 1945 Constitution.

He underlined that the Criminal Code does not discriminate against women, children, and other minority groups, as well as the press.

One example is the adoption of Article 6 letter d of Law Number 40 of 1999 on the Press into the Elucidation of Article 218 of the Criminal Code so that criticism is not punished because it is a form of supervision, correction, and advice on matters relating to the public interests.

According to Aries, it is also incorrect to say the Criminal Code legitimizes negative social attitudes towards adherents of minority beliefs. “The regulation of criminal acts against religion and belief in the Criminal Code has been reformulated by taking into account the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), as inputs from the civil society,” he said.

Previously, the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) passed the Draft Law on Criminal Code into law in a plenary meeting chaired by the Indonesian House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad on Tuesday (Dec 6).

In the formulation of the Criminal Code, meaningful participation as the fulfillment of civil societies’ rights to be heard, explained, and consideration has been given as much as possible.

–Antara

Indonesia highlights the need for democracy to face challenges at the 15th Bali Democracy Forum

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, RetnoMarsudi, said that democracy is considered to be able to help not only Indonesia but also the world leaders, in facing the challenges in the coming year.

Democratic leadership is urgently needed from leaders around the world to direct sustainable recovery by reaching out to the people most affected by the pandemic and other crises caused by geopolitical turmoil, Marsudi stated at the 15th Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali, Thursday (Dec 8).

Marsudi officially opened the meeting, which was attended by 323 participants from 112 countries and five international organizations, with 52 of them attending virtually. “With democracy, freedom of expression and conveying aspirations is also guaranteed, and space for effective dialogue and decision-making is also possible because of checks and balances,” Marsudi said.

While citing data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) that show 4.15 million productive workers are still affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, she emphasized that the principle of solidarity is very much needed in promoting an inclusive recovery. In this recovery effort, she emphasized that no party should be left behind. Democracy is the choice of the Indonesian people and has proven to play an important role in advancing peace, stability, and prosperity.

Additionally, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, acknowledged that democracy is currently experiencing a setback. Therefore, democracy needs to be defended and strengthened. “In a time of turmoil, tension, and chaos, divisions are widening, and people are hurting, democracy is declining, and civil society is shrinking,” he said. Hence, the world community is obliged to act by defending and strengthening democracy.

He highlighted the importance of promoting the rule of law and the universal nature of all types of basic human rights, including economic, social, political, civil and cultural aspects. Therefore, it is necessary to uphold the democratic principles of inclusivity and dialogue because they are the foundation of a renewed social contract and the key to lasting peace, as well as stability and sustainable development.

Meanwhile, global solidarity is also needed to ensure that all people, wherever they are, can have the necessary resources and support to invest in society and their future, he added.

Minister Marsudi again said in her speech that democracy is not a goal, but a way to achieve a goal. “Then, the future of democracy will really depend on us, whether we will continue to support or give up on democracy,” she said. Minister then emphasized that Indonesia is sticking to efforts to maintain the spirit of democracy and strengthen the foundations of democracy.

The Bali Democracy Forum is a cross-country forum in the Asia Pacific region that emphasizes democracy issues. The BDF 2022 has the theme ‘Democracy in a Changing World: Leadership and Solidarity’. This theme underscores the importance of leadership and solidarity as part of the pillars of democracy in the midst of world turmoil due to geopolitical and economic crises. Since it was first held in 2008 until now, BDF has presented many diplomatic representatives from countries as well as experts.

–Antara

GHY and Curtin University Sign MOU to Jointly Shape the Next Generation of Media & Film Talents in the Region

G.H.Y Culture & Media Holding Co., Limited (“GHY”, and together with its subsidiaries and its PRC Affiliated Entities, the “Group”), a leading diversified group in Asia’s media and entertainment industry, is pleased to announce that G.H.Y Culture & Media (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of GHY, has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) with a world-renowned education establishment, Curtin University, for an academic collaboration in higher education programs in Asia related to media and film studies.

Under the MOU, both parties have agreed to (i) discuss opportunities for education-industry collaboration and work- integrated learning programs, (ii) explore development of a global major and cross-campus industry-integrated learning programs, (iii) exchange information relating to activities in fields of mutual interest and (iv) provide the students of Curtin with mobility opportunities.

Curtin University is an innovative, global university known for its high-impact research, strong industry partnerships and commitment to preparing students for jobs of the future. Curtin University is one of the top universities worldwide and it has campuses in Western Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai and Mauritius.

Since its establishment, GHY has placed a strong emphasis on identifying, nurturing and promoting talent in the media and film industry across Southeast Asia. While providing access and valuable exposure of its end-to-end production capabilities, GHY has also initiated various tie-ups with industry leaders and education institutions to provide more opportunities for aspiring talents to directly learn from industry professionals and gain practical experience in this niche industry.

In addition, the Group has been expanding its portfolio of entertainment content and products, with diversification into new growth adjacencies such as musicals and its first-ever immersive live action game based on GHY’s “Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty” drama series.

Supported by a robust balance sheet with a net working capital of approximately S$130.1 million as at 30 June 2022, the Group is well-positioned to capture organic and inorganic growth initiatives, to capture the recovery and to bring sustainable long-term returns to shareholders.

Mr. Guo Jingyu, Executive Chairman and Group CEO, said, “New media consumers in Asia are dominated by younger demographics and the method of their media consumption is shifting from the big screen to their mobile phones with various forms of personalisation.

To better prepare and equip students for the future trends in the media and film industry, both GHY and Curtin University share a common vision to provide a structured higher-learning platform so as to develop Asia’s talent pool and technology in the media and film industry to become one of the best in the world.

With GHY’s strong in-house production capabilities and established industry network, there will be more opportunities for industry exchanges and on-the-job training programs for students under this academic collaboration.

For GHY, this is part of our initiatives to have an increasingly regional relationship and impact, strengthening our linkages with Asia through education and technology that are interconnected with our diversified business model within Asia’s media and entertainment industry.”

Professor Richard Blythe, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Humanities, Curtin University, said, “The MOU would offer new opportunities for students to gain invaluable real-world experience. This exciting new industry-education collaboration will bring together Curtin’s long-standing and successful screen arts expertise with GHY’s strong in- house production skills and clear industry connections.”

Professor Blythe added, “We are delighted to be working with GHY Culture and Media to help develop and foster the next generation of media and film industry stars across Asia.”

About G.H.Y Culture & Media Holding Co. Ltd. (SGX: XJB; Bloomberg: GHY:SP)

Listed on the Mainboard of the Singapore Exchange, G.H.Y Culture & Media Holding Co., Limited (“GHY” or the “Group”) is a leading diversified group within Asia’s media and entertainment industry. GHY has produced several dramas and films in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), Singapore and Malaysia that have been broadcasted and/or distributed on major TV networks and leading video streaming platforms in the PRC. The Group has also undertaken the production of concerts for well-known international artistes in Singapore, with upcoming concerts to be held in Singapore, Malaysia and Australia.

GHY has strong in-house production teams, with scriptwriters, directors and producers who have been involved in various notable dramas and films. The production teams have consistently produced quality dramas and films and the Group also possesses expertise and capabilities across the business value chain.

Currently headquartered in Singapore and the PRC with over 170 employees, the Group also engages in concert production, talent management services, and costumes, props and make-up services.

For more information, please visit https://ghyculturemedia.com/

About Curtin University

Curtin University is Western Australia’s largest university, with close to 60,000 students. In addition to the University’s main campus in Perth, Curtin also has a major regional campus in Kalgoorlie, and a campus in Midland, as well as four global campuses in Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai and Mauritius. Curtin staff and students come from Australia and over 120 other countries around the world, with half its international students studying at Curtin’s offshore campuses.

Curtin is ranked between 9th to 18th in Australia according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2022 and has achieved a QS Five Stars Plus rating, the highest available for a tertiary institution, and one of only eight to do so in Australia.

The University has built a reputation around innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit, being at the forefront of many high-profile research projects in astronomy, biosciences, economics, mining and information technology. It is also recognised globally for its strong connections with the industry, and for its commitment to preparing students for the jobs of the future.

For further information, visit curtin.edu.au.

This press release should be read in conjunction with the announcement uploaded on SGXNet on 8 December 2022.

DBS Bank Ltd. and UOB Kay Hian Private Limited are the joint issue managers and global coordinators (the “Joint Issue Managers and Global Coordinators”) for the initial public offering of shares in, and listing of, G.H.Y Culture & Media Holding Co., Limited on the Main Board of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited. The Joint Issue Managers and Global Coordinators assume no responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

For media and analysts’ queries, please contact: 8PR ASIA Pte Ltd
Alex Tan
T: +65 9451 5252
E: alex.tan@8prasia.com

Sri Trang introduces new Super Driver jobs for traditional natural rubber planters

  • To create a natural rubber delivery network from plantations to factories, strengthening the ‘Sri Trang Ecosystem’

Sri Trang Agro-Industry Plc. (SET: STA), the world’s leading fully integrated natural rubber company, has opened registration for “Super Drivers” to create extra income for rubber planters from a secondary career as rubber transporters, building a rubber delivery network from plantations to factories in the Sri Trang Group. This will connect stakeholders in the rubber industry ecosystem, and drive the industry towards digitalization.

Mr. Veerasith Sinchareonkul, President & Executive Director of Sri Trang Agro-Industry (STA) explained that following the Company’s launch of “Sri Trang Friends”, the first App. to combine support services for farmers, trading partners, and related services across the digital platform, recently expanding with the new “Sri Trang Friends Station” App, which offers a rubber sales and trading platform, and allows interested natural rubber planters across the country to apply for membership, facilitating a more transparent and professional rubber trading business. This is a major development that will propel the Thai rubber industry towards digitalization, connecting networks of stakeholders across the natural rubber industry ecosystem in Thailand.

Most recently, the Sri Trang Group initiated the new “Super Driver” service, “heroes” to fellow farmers, providing rubber delivery services to Sri Trang rubber factories for fellow rubber planters who may be constrained by distance. The “Super Drivers” will pick up the rubber from plantation owners who require this service, then deliver the products to Sri Trang factories, thus alleviating the problems associated with approaching the factories and the delivery of rubber. Initially, the program is being launched as pilot projects in Loei and Ubon Ratchathani provinces, and will soon be introduced throughout the country.

The main differences that makes the “Super Driver” model special are the approach and the application process. The main target groups are the rubber planters, or those with families in the rubber plantation or rubber delivery business, with their own delivery trucks, who would like to earn extra income, and be ready to represent the senders and various types of natural rubber, such as fresh latex, cup lump rubber, raw rubber sheets and ribbed smoked rubber sheets from plantations in nearby vicinities, to be delivered to factories in the Sri Trang Group. The main purpose of “Super Driver” recruitment is to create an additional income stream for rubber planters and their relatives, along with helping rubber planters with direct access to the factories, as if having the factories right on the gates of their plantations. This is also in line with the Company’s policy to conduct its businesses sustainably by caring for the stakeholders in all sectors.

There are no application fees for the applicants. Moreover, they will receive the following benefits: 1) The ready-for-use POS with the downloaded App., 2) A floor-stand weighing scale, and 3) A gift set for Super Drivers, etc. Income from the delivery of rubber to the factory plus the diligence bonus for each “Super Driver” is expected to amount to approximately 18,500 baht per month.

“Our big mission is to create an additional income stream for people in and around rubber plantations by their becoming Super Drivers so they can elevate their quality of life. In addition, the model will provide easy access and opportunities for plantations that are located far away, to access the factories more readily, while connecting all the people involved in the rubber industry ecosystem through the App. which has been specially developed by the Company. In the near future, the “Sri Trang Friends” and “Sri Trang Friends Station” Apps that support the two groups of users – rubber traders and the Super Drivers – will have some connected functions that are aimed at positive and sustainable development towards the “Sri Trang Friends Ecosystem”, Mr. Veerasith concluded.

Released by Public Relations Dept., MT Multimedia Co., Ltd. for Sri Trang Agro-Industry Plc.
For additional information, please contact: Wasana ‘Jeab” Wongsiri
T: +66 84 359 0659, +66 2 612 2081 ext.131; E: wasana.w@mtmultimedia.com

Sri Trang Agro-Industry Plc. https://www.sritranggroup.com/en/home
[SET: STA; STA-R; STA/F] [SGX: NC2; STA] [XTR: YTAA] [OTCPK: SRGPF]

Malaysian Investors take part in Indonesia Investment Forum in Penang

A total of 95 Malaysian investors took part in the Indonesia Investment Forum which was co-organized by the Ministry of Investment/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) of Republic of Indonesia and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) Penang in Penang, Malaysia, Tuesday.

Promotion Director for Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Region of the Ministry of Investment/Investment Coordinating Agency (BKPM) Saribua Siahaan said, “The ministry together with the Indonesian Consulate General in Penang received information that many potential investors in Malaysia were interested in investing in Indonesia, particularly, in Medan, North Sumatera and in Indonesia’s New Capital City (IKN).

“Therefore, we have come here to directly meet and talk to the investors about the potentials,” said Saribua. Malaysia is among the top 10 investors in Indonesia, with investment over the last 5 years (2017-2021) reaching US$ 6.76 billion.

Penang was chosen as the location for the event because the city is a manufacturing hub in Malaysia, hosting Excellence in Industry 4.0 through which it is expected to increase awareness and interest of Malaysian investors in investment opportunities in Indonesia.

“Malaysia is one of the biggest investors in Indonesia, mostly in Sumatra. And we hope the investment can be expanded in other locations, especially in IKN,” said Saribua.

Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Penang, Bambang Suharto, added, “Penang as home to 300 MNCs (Multi National Corporations) and 3,000 SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises) has various similarities and closeness with Indonesia, namely the geography, community diversity and culture.

“Indonesia, as predicted by the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), will be the 5th largest economy in the world by 2045, and offers great opportunities to Malaysian investors to invest in Indonesia and grow together with Indonesia,” said Bambang.

The event also presented a number notable speakers including Assistant Deputy for Investment Acceleration Strategy and Policy at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Ferry Akbar Pasaribu; Head of the Indonesian Investment Promotion Center in Singapore Andria Buchara; Kuala Tanjung Industrial Estate Business Director, Saut Fransiswoyo Siagian; and the Medan Industrial Park Development and Operations Director, M Hita Tunggal.

Ministry of Investment (BKPM)
Investment Coordinating Agency
Email: info@bkpm.go.id

Sri Trang introduces an alternative job “Super Driver” to traditional natural rubber planter

  • To create natural rubber delivery network from plantations to factories, strengthening ‘Sri Trang Ecosystem’

Sri Trang Agro-Industry PCL (SET: STA) opens Aappplications for whom is interested to become Super Drivers, creatipng a secondary career and extra income for rubber planter and building rubber delivery network from plantations to factories of the Sri Trang Group. In order to connect all stakeholders in the rubber industry ecosystem and for STA to play a part in the drive towards the digital age.

Mr. Veerasith Sinchareonkul, Managing Director & Executive Director of Sri Trang Agro-Industry PCL (SET: STA), one of the world’s biggest leaders in the integrated natural rubber business, revealed that following the Company’s launch of the “Sri Trang Friends” Application, which was the first and the main Application that integrated various services to support plantation owners and trading partners, as well as other related services through the digital system, until recently when the new “Sri Trang Friends Station” was launched as the rubber trading program to allow interested natural rubber planters across the country to apply to join, to facilitate a more transparent and professional rubber trading business. This is a major development that will propel the Thai rubber industry towards the digital age, connecting all the people involved in Thailand’s natural rubber industry ecosystem.

Most recently, the Sri Trang Group initiated the new “Super Driver” model, acting as “heroes” of the rubber planters to provide rubber delivery services to Sri Trang rubber factories for fellow rubber planters who may be constrained by distance. The “Super Drivers” will pick up the rubber from plantation owners who require this service and then deliver the products to Sri Trang factories, thus alleviating the problems associated with approaching the factories and the delivery of rubber. Initially, the program is being launched as pilot projects in Loei and Ubon Ratchathani provinces and will soon be introduced throughout the country.

The major differences that makes the “Super Driver” model special are the approach and the application process. The main target groups are the rubber planters or those with families in the rubber plantation or rubber delivery businesses with their own delivery trucks and who like to earn extra income while being ready to be the representatives for delivery, and collect various types of natural rubber, such as fresh latex, cup lump rubber, raw rubber sheets and ribbed smoked rubber sheets from plantations in nearby vicinity to be delivered to factories in the Sri Trang Group. The main objective of the “Super Driver” recruitment is to create an additional income stream for rubber planters and related people, along with to help the rubber planters to have direct access to the factories as if having the factories located right on the gates of their plantations. This is also in line with the Company’s policy to conduct its businesses sustainably by caring for the stakeholders in all sectors.

There are no application fees for the applicants. Moreover, they will receive the following benefits : 1) the ready-for-use POS with downloaded Application; 2) a floor-stand weighing scale; 3) A gift set for Super Driver, etc. The income from the delivery of rubber to the factory plus the diligence bonus for each “Super Driver” is expected to approximately amount to18,500 baht per month.

“Our big mission is to create additional income stream for people in and around rubber plantations by they becoming ‘Super Drivers’ so they can elevate the quality of life. In addition, the model will provide easy access and opportunities for plantations that are located far away to be able to access the factories more readily while connecting all the people involved in the rubber industry ecosystem through the Application that has been developed by the Company. In the near future, the ‘Sri Trang Friends’ and ‘Sri Trang Friends Station’ Applications that support the two groups of users – rubber traders and the ‘Super Driver’ applicants – will have some connected functions that are aimed to be a positive and sustainable development towards the ‘Sri Trang Friends Ecosystem'”, Mr. Veerasith concluded.

Visit Sri Trang Gloves PCL (SET: STGT) (SGX: STGT) at https://www.sritranggloves.com/en.

Released for Sri Trang Gloves PCL by MT Multimedia Co Ltd
Wasana “Jeab” Wongsiri, T: +66 (0) 84 359 0659, +66 (0) 2 612 2081 ext. 131; E: wasana.w@mtmultimedia.com