Makassar, INDONESIA – On February 22, 2024, the groundbreaking ceremony for the “Smart Island Pilot Project,” an island development initiative undertaken by Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd. (OC Global, headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Eiji Yonezawa), took place on Barang Lompo Island in Makassar City, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia.

The ceremony was attended by various stakeholders, including Hasanuddin University, the leading academic institution in Eastern Indonesia (based in Makassar City, South Sulawesi Province; President: Prof. Dr. Ir. Jamaluddin Jompa, M.Sc.), Makassar City officials, the Makassar Consulate Office, JICA Indonesia Office, and representatives from Kyuden Mirai Energy, which provides technical support for the project.

Representatives from each organization delivered congratulatory speeches expressing the significance and expectations for the project. Following the speeches, OC Global partook in a ritual known as the “First Stone Placement” to symbolize the hope for the success of the initiative.

【Related Link】The news broadcast locally.　https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3vugqR1x5c

Speech by Mr. Eiji Yonezawa /
CEO, President of OC Global

Groundbreaking Ceremony Banner
Left: Moh. Ramdhan Pomanto /
Mayor of Makassar City.
(He was scheduled to attend but had to cancel due to a sudden presidential visit, and he expresses high expectations for this project.）
Center: Prof. Dr. Ir. Jamaluddin Jompa, M.Sc / President of Hasanuddin University
Right: Mr. Eiji Yonezawa / CEO, President of OC Global

Ritual to Pray for the Success of the Project
Photo of the First Stone Placement
Barang lompo Island, the Project Site
At the Hasanuddin University Marine Station
Mr. Eiji Yonezawa / CEO, President

Participants at the Groundbreaking Ceremony

In this project, OC Global plans to promote the electrification and development of the fisheries industry on remote islands in South Sulawesi Province, by introducing cold chain facilities* powered by renewable energy. Following a survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s Smart JAMP (Japan ASEAN Mutual Partnership) in 2021 and a feasibility study supported by the JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Indonesia office in 2022, OC Global has reached the groundbreaking ceremony for this initiative. This project marks OC Global’s first ESG investment** as a company, and after conducting a pilot project over the next year, we aim to expand it nationwide throughout Indonesia.

* The method of maintaining the freshness and safety of perishable food products by keeping the distribution network from production to retail at low temperatures.
** The investment that considers not only financial aspects but also non-financial factors, such as ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) considerations.

OC Global contributes to solving the food-related challenges in the country by supporting the distribution of safe and fresh food through the introduction of cold chain facilities powered by renewable energy (SDG 2). Additionally, the company contributes to the conservation of valuable aquatic resources (SDG 14).