Sukanto Tanoto – RGE Founder & Chairman

Sukanto Tanoto is the founder and Chairman of Royal Golden Eagle (RGE), which manages as a group of resource-based companies. He started his business more than 50 years ago supplying engine parts to oil companies. Today, RGE with its headquarters in Singapore, has developed into a global group with assets more than US$35 billion and employing more than 70,000 people.

RGE businesses operate in the following four areas: pulp and paper industry (Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings Ltd. [APRIL] and Asia Symbol), palm oil industry (Asian Agri and Apical), viscose staple fibre (Sateri and Asia Pacific Rayon [APR]), specialty cellulose (Bracell Limited), and energy development (Pacific Oil & Gas).

Mr. Sukanto Tanoto embraces a 5Cs business approach: Operating in a manner that is good for Community, good for Country, good for Climate, good for Customer and good for Company. Committed to improving lives by developing resources sustainably, RGE companies align with and support the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mr. Sukanto Tanoto strongly believes that there is no end to learning and knowledge is limitless. Armed with this strong intellectual curiosity, Mr. Sukanto Tanoto has continued his own education by undertaking management courses at leading business schools, such as INSEAD, Harvard and Wharton. In addition, he is also committed to providing educational opportunities to future generations, in particular in the rural communities, to develop their talents and reach their full potential.

In 1981, Mr. Sukanto Tanoto and his family formed the Tanoto Foundation with the intent to uplift lives through early childhood development, basic education, leadership development and medical research. Tanoto Foundation has also provided rapid-response assistance in earthquakes and other natural calamities, as well as aid and relief for communities and governments during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr. Sukanto Tanoto is a member of the INSEAD International Council, the Wharton Board of Overseers, the Wharton Executive Board for Asia, and various other educational, community and industry bodies. He is a recipient of the Wharton School Dean’s Medal Award, which recognizes individuals for their contributions to the enlargement of the global economy and to the improvement of lives worldwide. Past recipients of the award include Chiefs of State, Nobel Prize winners, and Chairmen and CEOs of companies.