Consistent to Implement SDGs Point 8 and Improving Indonesia's Market Growth, Pertamina Fosters 2,305 MSEs in the Papua and West Papua Regions to Upgrade
Jakarta, October 3, 2021 – PT Pertamina (Persero), through the Micro Small Business Funding Program (PUMK), continues to pay attention to MSEs sustainability in Indonesia. It includes MSEs in Eastern Indonesia, such as Papua and West Papua. They receive guidance and assistance like fostered partners in other regions so that they can upgrade progressively.
Acting Senior Vice President Corporate Communications & Investor Relations of Pertamina, Fajriyah Usman explained, Pertamina's consistency in implementing SDG point 8 in increasing inclusive and sustainable economic growth, productive and comprehensive job opportunities, and decent work for all, is shown by the development of MSMEs in the marketing unit for the Papua region and the processing unit for the Kasim West Papua region. These two regions are considered to have carried out good coaching to all their fostered partners.
The distribution of capital in the Papua and West Papua regions is also intended so that Eastern Indonesian MSEs can immediately rise from the impact of the pandemic. Pertamina wants to help the eastern region's market grow through business capital assistance and several coaching programs. "Therefore, MSEs can penetrate markets outside the provinces of Papua and West Papua. Even all over Indonesia or abroad," she said.
Fajriyah added, from 1993 to 2021, the two regions have fostered around 2,305 MSEs. It consists of 1,362 fostered partners in Papua and 943 fostered partners spread across West Papua. In 2020 alone, there were 41 upgraded MSEs in the West Papua region and 24 upgraded MSEs in the Papua region.
MSEs, continued Fajriyah, was declared to be upgraded after fulfilling several criteria, such as increasing turnover, production capacity, number of workers, increasing loan value, adding certification and business permits, expanding marketing, involving local communities, or sociopreneurs in the business ecosystem.
"The fostered partners who are declared to be upgraded have met at least 2 of the seven criteria. The majority can experience an increase in turnover of 33 MSEs and obtaining certifications or permits by the same amount," she explained.
One of Pertamina's partners in Sorong, Papua is Wahyudi. The owner of this tilapia cultivation business was able to go from the Go Modern class to Go Digital at the UMK Academy event. "After successfully increasing my business assets, where initially I only had one pool, now there are 12 pools. It is all thanks to the assistance of Pertamina's PUMK Program," he said.
In addition, there is also a Go Online UMK Academy participant from Jayapura, Papua, namely Yafeth Wetipo. This Papuan coffee entrepreneur is willing to switch professions from a lecturer to being a coffee roaster. His decision was not in vain. The Highland Roastery Coffee business production is growing, reaching 350 kg/month and a turnover of up to IDR 25 million/month. "If what many people know about Papua is that it has a lot of gold, now we are raising the green gold as well, namely coffee," he said.
According to Fajriyah, through the PUMK Program, Pertamina wants to provide energy that can move the economy--energy that fuels and energy that produces sustainable growth. As well as encourage each partner to become upgraded MSEs and Go Global.
Pertamina also supports SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) achievement by implementing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)-based programs in all its operational areas. It is part of the Environmental and Social Responsibility (TJSL) to realize economic benefits in the community.**