Page 34 - Forbes - Asia (December 2019 - January 2020)

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

ASTRA GROUP:

PROSPERING WITH THE NATION

The Indonesian company builds on its core values to balance its business growth with initiatives that give back at home.

Since its founding 62 years ago, leading
diversified conglomerate Astra has been
committed to prospering with Indonesia
to deliver superior value to its stakehold-
ers. In order to realize this vision, the group
has been working to promote sustainable
growth in Indonesia that balances eco-
nomic growth with social and environmen-
tal concerns.
Starting as a commodity trader in 1957,
Astra today is a leading player in seven
sectors: automotive; financial services;
heavy equipment, mining, construction
and energy; agribusiness; infrastructure
and logistics; information technology; and
property. It encompasses 234 subsidiaries,
joint ventures and associates, and employs
226,504 staff across Indonesia. The group’s
parent company, PT Astra International Menara Astra, which is the fourth-tallest building in Jakarta at 261 meters,
Tbk, has been listed on the Indonesian officially launched in February on the group’s 62nd anniversary.
Stock Exchange since 1990, and today has
a market capitalization of about Rp267 tril- A Road Map for Success aiming for a more balanced portfolio,
lion (US$19 billion). In driving toward its mission, Astra is given its investment in two 1,000-mega-
With a large presence across Indonesia, guided by its strategy known as the Triple P watt coal-fired power plants in Central
Astra is aware of its responsibility to be a Road Map, which refers to “Portfolio, Peo- Java, a coal- fired power plant in Borneo,
good corporate citizen. It balances its busi- ple and Public Contribution.” The Portfolio and in Agincourt Resources, a gold-mining
ness activities with a comprehensive suite aspect of the road map is designed to help operator in Sumatra.
of sustainable public contribution initiatives Astra become one of the best-managed In its infrastructure logistic division, Astra
that aim to give back to its home country. company in Asia-Pacific, with an emphasis has interests in 339 kilometres of opera-
Sustainable public contributions are on sustainable growth, by building compe- tional toll roads along the Trans-Java net-
intrinsic to the core values of the group, as tence through people development, a solid work and a further 11 kilometres currently
expressed by Astra Founder William Soery- financial structure, customer satisfaction under construction in the greater Jakarta
adjaya: “We would like Astra to grow and and efficiency. area. Astra has also made a mark on Jakar-
flourish like a shady tree that serves as a The strategy has proven successful in ta’s skyline through its newest business
shelter for many during rain or shine.” boosting the group’s performance. In its division, property—launched in 2016—and
automotive business, for its Menara Astra and Anandamaya Resi-
instance, Astra’s share of dences development.
Indonesia’s car market rose Astra’s move into the digital space was
to 53% in September, up initiated through the establishment of
from 50% a year earlier. Its Astra Digital, which will support Astra’s
market share of the Honda group companies in developing new digi-
motorcycle market inched tal competencies in areas such as artificial
up to a commanding 75%. intelligence, blockchain, cloud comput-
This achievement is also ing, data analytics and security. In financial
backed by the group’s finan- services, Astra has formed a fintech joint
cial services, which offer venture company with Hong Kong-based
convenient financing facili- WeLab, which offers mobile lending prod-
Through the Kampung Berseri Astra program, ties for cars and motorcycles. ucts to retail consumers and provides finan-
communities and companies work together to create In its heavy equipment, cial technology solutions to companies. In
clean, healthy and smart living. mining, construction and addition, Astra has partnered with Indone-
energy division, Astra is sian decacorn startup GOJEK, and recently

2 Indonesia