As part of Apical’s capacity building initiative to support and enable palm oil suppliers with knowledge of establishing a sustainable and traceable palm oil supply chain, a two-day Apical Shared Value Programme was held in Pekanbaru.
From 11-12 December 2017, 65 participants from Pekanbaru, and the regions of Riau and Medan, gathered to learn the latest market trends, and how international certifications such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) can be beneficial for their businesses.
The participants, who are business owners, commercial heads, and specialists in sustainability from major palm oil companies, gained insights into the importance of palm oil traceability and responsible sourcing. They were also updated on Indonesia’s regulation on peat, mill operations and plantations; and High Conservation Value (HCV) and High Carbon Stock (HCS) requirements.
“The workshop reaffirms Apical’s commitment to support our suppliers on the path of sustainability – to help them seize opportunities, mitigate risks and progress towards a responsible and sustainable business model,” said Bremen Yong, Head of Sustainability, Apical Group.
Industry subject matter experts from RSPO, The Forest Trust (TFT), Intertek, Proforest, Daemeter Consulting, and Yayasan SETARA Jambi were on hand to share practical knowledge and experience on various topics. They also facilitated the group discussions and assignments throughout the two days.
Overall, the participants found the workshop most educational. They acknowledged that the sessions facilitated discussions about challenges and opportunities, especially from the case studies and real experiences presented. This had also inspired exchange of ideas on how to improve and grow their business whilst meeting international requirements for sustainability.
Aisyah Sileuw, co-founder and President Director of Daemeter Consulting, said that she was impressed with the high level of interest and how fast the participants captured the information presented during the workshop. “Their eagerness to learn and to apply that knowledge was intensive. We hope that the participants will keep their enthusiasm and energy to propel not only business growth but also sustainability in the palm oil industry.
