YOGYAKARTA – The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) has called on the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to continue expanding their role in palm oil-related businesses in the country. GAPKI Chairman Eddy Martono made the request when virtually addressing the 2nd Expouse 2025 event, which was organized by LPP Polytechnic Yogyakarta in Yogyakarta.
Aimed to strengthen the role of small and medium businesses in palm oil industries, the event of 2nd Expouse 2025 was organized from 29 September to 4 October 2025 in the Auditorium of LPP Agro Nusantara, Yogyakarta. The event has again revealed that the palm oil industries in Indonesia have become a major pillar of national food and energy resilience in the country.
The six day event, which features various kinds of products produced by the SMEs, was also expected to educate the public about the benefits of palm oil and push for further down-streaming of palm oil products with a view to supporting the resilience of foods and energy and driving up national economic growth.
Director of LPP Polytechnic Yogyakarta, Ir. Muhamad Mustangin, S.T, M.Eng., said the event is a realization of the institution’s commitment to help developing the small and medium businesses in Indonesia.
“Through the three dharmas of university, LPP Polytechnic has been continually taking part in development of small and medium businesses that are based on palm oil. We also thank GAPKI for being the main sponsor of this event and for contributing significantly to the development of Indonesian palm oil industries,” he said.
GAPKI Chairman Eddy Martono, who attended the event virtually, expressed full support to the event, saying that the existence of palm related-SMEs is very important in creating a business ecosystem that generates inclusive process of down-streaming in palm oil industries.
“GAPKI supports SMEs that utilize the palm oil and derivative products in their business operations. Inclusive down-streaming will ensure that the benefits of palm oil can be enjoyed even up to the lowest levels of the economy. That way, the SMEs will become stronger in generating higher and sustainable economic growth, and creating more job opportunities,” said Eddy.
According to him, the acceleration of palm down-streaming will open bigger opportunities for the SMEs to continue innovating. “With the increase of palm oil-based products, variations of such products, and their sale growth, then the SMEs will survive and thrive,” he said.
Eddy also urged the government to strengthen its policies on incentives, simplify licencing procedures, and improve financing access for the SMEs in the downstream palm oil sector.
In addition to that, he invites the big industrial players to expand partnerships with the SMEs, sharing technology, and assisting them in expanding market access. “In the meantime, the SMEs should continue raising their product quality, seeking innovations, and using digitalization opportunities to compete in the market,” he said.
The 2nd Expouse 2025 was enthusiastically greeted by visitors, who admitted that they have become better informed about the palm oil industries after attending the annual event. “By visiting this event, I gained knowledge about palm oil and derivative products and the role of GAPKI in developing palm oil in Indonesia. This event should be continually organized to help accelerating the growth of small and medium businesses based on palm oil,” the visitor said. (*)
