Indonesian Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan attended the 21st Korea-Indonesia Forest Cooperative Committee and the Forest Forum held in Jakarta last week. He showed much interest in cooperation with Korea in boosting forestry resources development.

Following is an interview with the minister. 

Q: Korea and Indonesia are celebrating the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties. How do you evaluate cooperation between the two countries in the forestry field?

A: It was 1968 when a Korean company first came to Indonesia to invest in forestry, even before Korea and Indonesia officially kicked off their diplomatic relations. As President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono describes Korea as an old friend, we keep working with Korea to enhance exchanges and cooperation in such areas as development of tropical forests and collaborating on the issue of climate change.

Q: The Sentul Eco-edu Model Forest was launched ahead of the Forest Cooperative Committee meeting. What do you expect from the project?

A: The Sentul Model Forest is located between Jakarta and Bogor and is easily accessible from Jakarta. It is a meaningful project for us in terms of protecting around 630 hectares of the last remaining forest. At the same time, it represents cooperation between Korea and Indonesia. We will continue sharing our experiences on forest management as well as continue our business in this eco-edu forest. Also, we expect Korea to continuously support the project financially and technically.

Q: You participated in the signing ceremony for the Korea-ASEAN forestry cooperation pact in 2011, and Hadisusanto Pasaribu has been appointed as an executive director of AFoCO. What kind of role and responsibility do you expect from AFoCO?

A: Many Asian countries face difficulties in many sectors. Among them, I think we should pay keen attention to tacking issues related to climate change, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks and carbon trading.

Q: Many Korean companies consider investing in Indonesia. What would you advise to these companies to become successful like Korindo Group?

A: Korindo has emerged as a famous foreign company in Indonesia. The company began with the logging business and now it has expanded into the forest-based business sector, including forestation and wood processing. But, the company had to face a changing business environment after the Indonesian government announced a forest moratorium three years ago, which puts a ban on forest clearing.

So from now on, I want to see more companies coming to Indonesia with new business projects such as engaging with renewable energy sources like wood pellets.

I know that Koreans try to come up with the best solutions they can to get a task done. With such passion, I bet that they will be successful in Indonesia.

By Lee Kwon-hyung (kwonlh@heraldcorp.com)