Jakarta. Indonesia is celebrating its 79th Independence Day anniversary, and all these years have shown that national development is inseparable from multi-stakeholder collaboration. All sectors play pivotal roles in economic growth, which will also help improve the welfare of people across the archipelago. 

In Riau, particularly the Pangkalan Kerinci district of the Pelalawan regency, pulp and paper producer APRIL Group is integral to the province’s growth. APRIL Group started its operations 30 years ago. APRIL has exported its flagship paper product PaperOne to 110 countries. 

With an investment of over Rp 100 trillion, APRIL Group has played a significant role in transforming Pangkalan Kerinci, which used to be a less developed district, into an advanced industrial complex. This investment encompasses the construction of many production units, including a pulp and paper plant, a viscose rayon factory, as well as a paperboard manufacturing plant. But what exactly are the impacts of APRIL’s investment? 

Create Thousands of Jobs

As a company in the manufacturing and the industrial plantation forest, APRIL hires people that are skilled in their respective fields. APRIL is Pangkalan Kerinci’s largest employer. It is also among the biggest employers in Riau. 

As of Dec. 2023, APRIL employs 13,312 people across its units, marking a 54 percent increase compared to 2019 figures. APRIL attributed the growth to the company’s operational expansion for its rayon fiber and packaging businesses.

APRIL creates job opportunities for 26,128 in indirect labor. This includes staff of the partner suppliers and contractors. 

Local Community Empowerment

Aside from job opportunities, APRIL has community empowerment programs dedicated to people living near the operational areas so they can be financially independent. 

Under the Community Development program, APRIL mentors 218 partnered micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to be directly involved in the company’s operations, and this helped create over 5,000 job opportunities. APRIL also mentors 87 MSMEs in crafts, fashion, culinary, or other sectors to contribute to the regional economy even without working directly in the company. 

In agribusiness, APRIL teaches local farmers sustainable agricultural practices. The company also provides production tools, seeds, and fertilizers to boost productivity. APRIL also helps the farmers promote their products. In 2023, the farmers’ average household income rose 83 percent. 

A recent study by LPEM UI showed that APRIL’s corporate social responsibility (CS) boosted household income by Rp 210 billion in five Riau regencies, namely Pelalawan, Kuantan Singingi, Siak, Kampar, and Kepulauan Meranti. 

Educational Support

APRIL also pays attention to the education sector when it comes to empowering the people living near its operations. As of 2023, APRIL has provided training for 1,034 teachers and local facilitators as part of its school development program. This initiative seeks to improve learning effectiveness. 

APRIL also helps talented students from poor households to pursue education. The company has granted scholarships to 250 high school students and 99 university students. 

APRIL is working alongside four vocational schools in Riau on a “teaching factory” program to expedite employment for vocational school graduates. All students who signed up for the program in 2023 got hired by APRIL. 

New Investments to Spur Riau’s Economy

In early 2024, APRIL Group had a trial run for its paperboard manufacturing plant through PT Riau Andalan Paperboard International (RAPI). The investment for this plant alongside its supporting facilities amount to Rp 33.4 trillion. It is also set to produce 1.2 million tons of sustainable paperboard annually. This project also became one of Sumatera’s largest manufacturing investments over the past decade. 

The plant will create over 600 job opportunities once it operates at full capacity. The investment’s multiplier effect is expected to continue to positively contribute to Indonesia’s development, particularly in Riau.