Bridgestone supports Indonesian rubber smallholders

ERJ staff report (DS)

Tokyo -- Bridgestone Corp., in conjunction with the World Agroforestry Centre, will provide support to rubber smallholders in Indonesia. They aim to offer information and guidance on best practices in connection with the cultivation of rubber trees.

The parties will also conduct joint research intended to help stabilise the region's agricultural rubber industry into the future.

The agreement, which was signed on April 29 at the Centre's regional headquarters for Southeast Asia in Bogor, approximately 50 km south of Jakarta, was accompanied by a donation of ¥2 million (euro 18 000) to the World Agroforestry Centre from Bridgestone. Bridgestone's subsidiary in Sumatra, P. T. Bridgestone Sumatra Rubber Estate, will work with Centre representatives in connection with these initiatives.

The Bridgestone Group owns two natural rubber estates in Indonesia, on the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan, occupying a total area of 24,000 hectares.

Sumatra:

• Company name: P. T. Bridgestone Sumatra Rubber Estate
• Location: Serbalawan, North Sumatra (Sumatera Utara)
• Date of acquisition: August 2005
• Equity ownership: Bridgestone Corporation 95%
• Representative: Philip Hickling
• Products: Natural rubber
• Site area: Approximately 18,000 hectares
• Number of employees: Approximately 6,000 (as of April 30, 2010)

Kalimantan

• Company name: P. T. Bridgestone Kalimantan Plantation
• Location: Tanah Laut, South Kalimantan (Kalimantan Selatan)
• Date of establishment: November 1999
• Equity ownership: Bridgestone Corporation 99%
• Representative: Aswansyah Noerdin
• Products: Natural rubber

  G) Site area: Approximately 6,000 hectares

• Number of employees: Approximately 800 (as of April 30, 2010)

Much of Indonesia's domestic natural rubber is produced by small-scale farmers with holdings of less than two hectares. Through support for such agricultural households, the Bridgestone Group hopes to boost natural rubber yields and contribute to economic stability and the development of local communities.

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Press release from Bridgestone