Empowering Housewives, Pertamina's Fostered Partner Utilizes Water Hyacinths to Become Weaved Products

Jakarta, April 6, 2021 - The creativity and resilience of the micro and small enterprises (MSE) fostered by the Pertamina Partnership Program needs to be continuously supported. They can process goods that were previously of less value into exclusive products. Through the Go Modern, Go Digital, Go Online, and Go Global development roadmap, Pertamina will support these small businesses to be an upgraded MSEs.

Rumah Anyam Mandiri owned by Elsa Padidipur, one of Pertamina's fostered partners from Jalan Poros Telkomas RT05 / RW04, Kel. Berua, Kec. Biringkanaya, Makassar City, utilizes an abundant amount of materials for handicrafts. Namely water hyacinth, a plant that is easily found in several rivers around her house.

"These plants are easy to find and tend to become pests if there are too many in the water. That is why I tried to find ways to use these plants in handicraft products," she said.

The water hyacinth plant's fibrous texture makes it possible to process this plant into a variety of charming shapes. In Elsa's hands, this plant with the Latin name Eichhornia crassipes can be used as various women's bags, tissue boxes, baskets, serving covers, and even sandals, of course, combined with various materials and colors to make the product more attractive.

Elsa also used this business as an opportunity to create jobs. Especially for housewives and her other circles. Initially having four employees, after becoming Pertamina's fostered partner, Elsa was able to empower ten employees, who are housewives, widows, and orphans from orphanages.

This effort is implementing the SDGs' 8th goal, to provide decent work and support economic growth. Elsa's business development is increasing from year to year. Apart from the scope of Makassar, she has sold her products to Surabaya, Kalimantan, and Papua. "Hopefully, I can continue to develop the products to become an export opportunity," she said.

Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations of Pertamina, Agus Suprijanto, appreciated Elsa's business. According to him, Pertamina will support Elsa's dream to export its products. "Through the roadmap to upgrade MSEs, namely at the Go Global stage, Pertamina will help so that its products can penetrate the foreign market," he said.

According to Agus, through this Partnership Program, Pertamina wants to be able to consistently provide energy that drives the economy-energy that becomes fuel and the energy that generates sustainable growth.

Apart from SDGs, Pertamina also tries to implement ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance), especially in the social sector. ESG is the company's step in running its business that focuses on long-term business sustainability. In this way, Pertamina believes that it can consistently generate economic benefits in the community following environmental and social responsibilities.**