Tunas Sawaerma has been creating conducive investment in Papua. Despite the minimum infrastructure, Tunas Sawaerma (TSE) successfully develops its business and gives big contributions to local government and community. TSE group business becomes one of the success models of developing conducive investment in the border area.
In his speech during a panel discussion Business and Investment Forum organized by The Ministry of Rural, Rural Development and Transmigration (Kemendesa PDT), Thursday (1/12), the Director of TSE, Kim Hoon said that TSE established their plantation and processing plywood and palm oil in Asiki, Boven Digoel, Papua since 1995 when the infrastructures were still insufficient.
“At that time, the infrastructures were still insufficient and practically out of reach. No investor wants to invest, and maybe it was only us,” explained Kim. “Despite that fact, we could’ve thrived and be the first to contribute to the development of the Trans-Papua.”
TSE was still determined to raise their business seeing the potential in that area were quite huge. Slowly but sure, TSE began to build basic infrastructures to support the business. They built 9 Mega Watt power plants which is beneficial to the vicinity community.
“In an analogy, we don’t have to wait for a luxury car, cheaper car is enough to pick us up,” said Kim. “The problem is that many businessmen are too eager to drive luxury car right away, they just waited the fine infrastructure to be ready before they started their business. In fact, basic infrastructures are enough to start up”.
Our group has 40 years of experiences in investment in Indonesia, particularly in remote area such as Kalimantan, we have experiences for overcoming some obstacles like infrastructures and limited manpower. Therefore, we are optimist that we can contribute to the development of Papua.
“Our strong determination in developing Papua is proven by sustainability business which is proceeding until now. Asiki area is now provided with adequate infrastructures, such as roads, bridges, clinics, churches and mosques which they did not have before.”
TSE contributed revenue of 30% to 50% of Merauke and District Boven Digoel, Papua. In addition, TSE also capable to hire ± 3.100 local people and most of them are being educated in the Training Centre (BLK) founded by TSE.
“We are not going towards community development anymore, but more towards city development. Asiki was once a remote area, but now it is more developed. Many Papua people want to change their lives, and we are very pleased to see their spirit and passion,” said Kim.
