Jakarta, May, 22, 2019 – PT HM Sampoerna Tbk. (Sampoerna), a leading tobacco company in Indonesia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education (MORTHE) on “Cooperation in Strengthening Innovation with the Industry in the Field of Research, Technology, and Higher Education.” This MOU was signed by the President Director of Sampoerna, Mindaugas Trumpaitis with the Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education, Mohamad Nasir, who was represented by Director General of Strengthening Innovation of the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education, Jumain Appe and accompanied by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education, Ainun Na'im.
President Director of Sampoerna, Mindaugas Trumpaitis, said the tobacco industry is heading towards development based on science. Support from the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education will further strengthen the national tobacco industry, which has an important role for state revenues through taxes and excise, employment, investment, small and medium enterprises, and tobacco and clove farmers.
“Research and the development of technology is an important part of Sampoerna’s business. Sampoerna adheres to high scientific standards – the science behind the development and assessment of our products. Sampoerna appreciates the efforts and support of the government, especially the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education, through its commitment to encourage the tobacco industry to develop research and technological innovation,” said Mindaugas in his official statement on Wednesday (22/5).
Mindaugas added that this cooperation is expected to improve the company’s experience and knowledge which in turn can strengthen the potential of tobacco industry.
Director General of Strengthening Innovation of the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education, Jumain Appe, also positively welcomed the collaboration between Sampoerna and the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education. This partnership will increase the capacity of policy makers, researchers, and experts to understand, encourage, and monitor the progress of research and technological innovation in the tobacco industry. With hope, all policies made by stakeholders can further safeguard and improve the quality of the industry.
"This collaboration is a good start for the government and tobacco industry. By actively encouraging research and enhancing technological innovation will make this industry increasingly growing, especially for the development of alternative tobacco products in Indonesia. On the other hand, the government is also getting new information and knowledge that is developing in the tobacco industry," said Jumain.
Through this partnership, Sampoerna will also participate in a program agreed with the state-owned polytechnic or university appointed by the MORTHE. Mindaugas also explained that the company would provide technical or scientific training relevant to the tobacco industry or other expertise.
"We are ready to contribute to collaborative research programs, including at Sampoerna's laboratory facilities, polytechnics or universities, independent laboratories and other similar facilities. We will also prepare material supplies to support the research,” said Mindaugas.
Furthermore, Mindaugas explained, Sampoerna will continue to provide entrepreneurship training from the Sampoerna Entrepreneurship Training Center (SETC). This training is intended for organizations fostered by the MORTHE’s Directorate General of Strengthening Innovation in accordance with the availability and capacity of SETC. "Sampoerna is extending the invitation to visits from MORTHE’s researchers to the Center for Science and Innovation owned by Sampoerna and Philip Morris International, our parent company," he said.
Jumain added that the ministry would provide support in the form of research grants to the state-owned polytechnic or university appointed by the MORTHE to participate in this collaboration. "In addition, the ministry will also facilitate discussions between Sampoerna and policy makers to explore the investment, innovation, sustainable development, assessment and supervision of regulations, including alternative tobacco products in Indonesia," he concluded.
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