Partnership obligations for forestry companies

The Ministry of Forestry has recently issued Regulation of the Minister of Forestry Number P.39/MENHUT-II/2013 regarding the obligation of companies engaged in the forestry sector to establish a partnership with local communities where their areas are located. The purpose of this regulation is to ensure that local communities obtain direct benefits from forestry activities, by participating in managing the forest so that in the future they may become independent and professional business actors in the forestry sector. Certain government institutions in charge of the forestry sector are required to support these partnership activities by, among other things, holding public awareness events in the local communities and providing health warnings and health information on their tobacco products packaging.