AMANAH Relaunch Drives Downstreaming and Strengthens Aceh Youth Economy
The relaunch of the Aneuk Muda Aceh Unggul Hebat (AMANAH) programme took place in a lively and collaborative atmosphere at the AMANAH Building in the Aceh Industrial Area (KIA) Ladong. This event signifies the strengthening of AMANAH’s role as a centre for youth development and a driving force for downstream processing of Aceh’s local commodities.
The series of events began with participant registration and the opening of an art exhibition featuring creative works by Aceh’s young people. The atmosphere grew solemn with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an and the singing of Indonesia Raya, before proceeding to the main event of inaugurating the AMANAH management body.
AMANAH Foundation Chairman Syaifullah Muhammad emphasised that this relaunch serves as the starting point for reinforcing the grand vision of building an outstanding generation of Aceh youth.
“Our main vision is to develop an innovative, independent, and globally competitive generation of Aceh youth,” he stated in a written remark on Thursday, 23 April 2026.
He explained that AMANAH adopts an approach based on innovation, technology, and strengthening the local economy as the primary strategy for youth empowerment.
“So far, we have only stopped at raw commodities. However, in line with the government’s downstream vision, we must create added value,” he said.
According to him, AMANAH has developed patchouli oil purification technology using molecular distillation and fractionation methods, allowing local products to advance into the cosmetics and perfume industries.
“With this technology, patchouli oil can enter cosmetic, skincare, and perfume grades. This is important because raw materials from Indonesia are exported, and then we buy them back as finished products,” he clarified.
He added that this step is part of efforts to promote import substitution and create a new economic ecosystem based on downstream processing in the region.
“If this runs successfully, downstream processing will truly occur domestically—from raw materials to finished products. This will become a very significant economic movement,” he asserted.
In addition to downstream processing, AMANAH also focuses on enhancing youth capacity through training, strengthening soft skills, and business mentoring based on technology.
“We want their products not only to be good but also ready to enter the market with high standards,” he said.
Syaifullah added that AMANAH embraces the concept of social enterprise with a dual approach, namely strengthening human resources and economic development.