If the Megamendung Organic Forest has any attractive handicraft products, we will help to find a potential exporter.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - State-owned bank PT Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) strengthened cooperation with Megamendung Organic Forest in Bogor district, West Java province, to commemorate Earth Day on April 22, 2022.

The enterprise has supported the organic forest since 2018 to generate various innovations in forest management, BNI’s corporate secretary, Mucharom, noted in an official statement received here on Saturday.

"BNI does not want to lag in the implementation of sustainable finance principles according to the three pillars of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), namely the economic, social, and environmental pillars," he said.

He further said that the company’s support for Megamendung Organic Forest is in line with the government's attempts to mitigate the impacts of climate change, in accordance with the COP26 agreement.

The cooperation between the two parties involves expanding the forest area, revitalizing the river, as well as strengthening the capacity of the Megamendung Organic Forest Farmers’ Group for developing ecotourism.

In addition, the company has provided 15 thousand seedlings, established a nursery center, applied geo-tagging technology, and provided assistance in nurturing trees at the Megamendung Organic Forest.

The corporate secretary said that the empowerment program will be continued to develop local micro businesses in the future to improve the community's economy.

"If the Megamendung Organic Forest has any attractive handicraft products, we will help to find a potential exporter," he added.

Meanwhile, Megamendung Organic Forest manager Yuhan Subrata said that the commemoration of Earth Day is the right moment to appeal to the public about the importance of preserving the environment.

"We believe that protecting environmental sustainability can be conducted in line with improving the welfare of the community. We laud BNI who never stops supporting us to realize it," he remarked.

Earlier, BNI, as a green banking pioneer, had also collaborated with Kita Jaga Alam (KJA) Foundation to offer an environmental rehabilitation program for the coastal area of Anyer Beach, Banten province, and areas upstream of the Citarum River Basin, West Java province, that involved a tree nursery, planting, and caring program.
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Translator: Agatha Victoria, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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