Through Songket, Pertamina Supports Fostered MSMEs to Upgrade by Empowering Women and School Dropouts

Jakarta, December 15, 2020 - Empowerment of MSMEs by PT Pertamina (Persero) through the Partnership Program has created many multiplier effects for others. With more developed and upgraded Pertamina's fostered MSMEs, the need for workers' number and welfare also increases. It is in line with point 8 of the SDGs, namely providing work and supporting economic growth.

As has been implemented by one of Pertamina Kgs. Bahsen Fikri. This Fikri Koleksi business owner has implemented the sociopreneur concept in his business. He has empowered many women and school dropouts to help his business. "We are looking for those who have a high enthusiasm for learning, are disciplined and careful. At the same time, it can help their economy," he said.

There are about 50 songket artisans that he empowered. To maximize performance, Fikri also creates messes for employees who live far from its production centers and shops on Jalan Kiranggo Wiro Sentiko No 500 30 Ilir Palembang. Not only that, but Fikri also helps artisans who wish to sell their products at the shop. "We also have about 20 fostered weaving artisans in Tanjung Lago Village, Kab. Musi Banyuasin," he added.

Palembang songket cloth is indeed luxurious and elegant. The charm of this songket provides evidence of the Sriwijaya Kingdom's heyday, which still exists in the city of Palembang. All of that is expressed in various motifs such as Chinese flower motifs, serial stars, limar, and more. FK songket makes use of good quality raw materials, so it produces a good songket too.

The price of Palembang songket weaving that he sells varies, ranging from IDR 1.8 million - IDR 50 million. The IDR 50 million items, according to him, is more than a hundred years old. "What makes it expensive is history and its raw materials, including silk thread and gold thread. The most expensive gold thread is the heart gold thread, but now it is no longer produced," explained this 50-year-old man.

With these high product prices, Fikri can pocket a monthly turnover of up to hundreds of millions. However, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic made his income only IDR 30 million. Under Pertamina's guidance, Fikri hopes that his business can develop more and be able to survive. It can again increase production and participate in exhibitions at home and abroad, followed in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore some time ago.

Vice President of Corporate Communication of Pertamina, Fajriyah Usman added, Pertamina, in its 63 years of maturity, will continue to support the preservation of traditional woven fabrics such as songket. It also facilitates the crafters and MSMEs to develop and upgrade. "Pertamina will continue to provide positive energy to the fostered MSMEs partners through the roadmap for the development of Go Modern, Go Digital, Go Online, to Go Global," concluded Fajriyah.**