Deputy Minister of Industry Faisol Reza encouraged the Indonesian Pulp and Paper Association (APKI) for its consistent efforts in supporting the national pulp and paper industry, which plays a significant role in the country’s economy. "The pulp and paper industry contributed USD 8.28 billion in exports in 2023, accounting for approximately 4.03% of the non-oil and gas manufacturing GDP," said Faisol during the 2024 APKI Work Meeting in Jakarta on January 13, 2025. He emphasized that the industry's resilience is a key priority for President Prabowo Subianto, expressing optimism that with the right strategies, the industry will continue to grow and contribute to Indonesia’s economy.
During the event, Hannah Zhao, Director of Fiber at Fastmarkets RISI, offered insights on the global prospects of the pulp and paper industry. She noted that Southeast Asia and India will be major drivers of global demand for pulp and paper through 2026, due to their growing populations and relatively low per capita consumption. However, she cautioned that challenges like oversupply and the quality of recycled fibers must be managed. APKI Chairperson Liana Bratasida emphasized the importance of the seminar’s theme, "Driving the Contribution of the Pulp and Paper Industry to Economic Growth through Policy Strategies, Circular Economy, and Expanding Access to Global Markets," stating that both global and domestic challenges should be seen as opportunities to form strategic, innovative measures to boost industry competitiveness.
