Rimbunan Hijau - translated from Malay as 'forever green' - was first established in Sarawak, Malaysia in 1975.
Since then, it has grown from a humble forestry contracting operation to a fully-fledged international business with interests in forestry, manufacturing, media, and information technology.
Rimbunan Hijau (PNG) Group - also known locally as RH - was first established in PNG in 1989.
For nearly two decades it has expanded its core business - forestry - to include manufacturing, retail, media, property development and transport.
RH believes it delivers clear economic and social benefits to its employees, its business partners, the PNG Government and the broader Papua New Guinea community.
The company has contributed approximately K80 million (US$30 million) to Papua New Guinea's GDP every year since 2002.
RH employs more than 5,300 people in Papua New Guinea, making it one of the nation's largest private-sector employers. More than 4,200 of these people are employed in its forestry operations. Many of these people are employed in rural areas where there are few employment opportunities.
The company has also spent more than US$100 million on infrastructure in rural areas since 1993. This includes roads, bridges, community/education facilities and health facilities. In 2006 alone, the company paid more than US$26 million to landowners and the Government in royalties, premiums and export duties.
RH was also the first forestry company to join BAHA (Business Against HIV/AIDS), a Port Moresby-based business coalition aimed at using business networks to reduce the prevalence of AIDS in Papua New Guinea.
RH recognises that developing countries such as Papua New Guinea do not have the same environmental management standards as developed countries.
In view of this, RH has gone to great lengths to have the legality of its operations assessed by external assessors as part of due diligence and quality assurance for its financial and business partners. These audits have been undertaken with the support of the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO).
RH is also a member of the Papua New Guinea Forest Industries Association Inc. (PNGFIA). All PNGFIA members must strictly adhere to all environmental and legal regulation required by the Papua New Guinea Government. This includes the Papua New Guinea Logging Code of Practice (LCOP).
For the past 20 years, RH has made long-term investments in PNG's future. This will continue into the long term with further investments in manufacturing, property development, retail, residential and hospitality currently underway.
RH believes that a long-term vision combined with an economically, socially, and environmentally responsible outlook will result in a prosperous Papua New Guinea that will deliver benefits to all of its people.
