Expats to President Demand Their Product, This is How Pertamina's Fostered MSMEs Build Their Business

Jakarta, October 15, 2020 - Go Global is one of the focus of the training done by the Partnership Program of PT Pertamina (Persero). All of their fostered partners will be encouraged to market their products internationally, as was done by Triyono, one of Pertamina's Fostered MSME, owner of Mandiri Art Shop.

The business is based in East Kemang, South Jakarta, engaged in wood furniture and copper crafts. Almost all of the products are designed with a specific character and have unique characteristics. The products include home furniture combined with carving with local cultures such as wayang and batik.

"Last 2016, cracker can products, glasses, and napkin rings, which have been bought by President Joko Widodo during an exhibition. A couple of days later, I also brought the products straight to the household of the Presidential Palace," said Triyono.

The quality of the products made by Triyono does not need to be doubted. Since the beginning of his business in 1994, he has put forward good quality for his product. At the beginning of his business, Triyono did not make his own products. Instead, he resells crafts from Bali, Lombok, and Jogjakarta.

As expats dominate his neighborhood, it made him easier to socialize with people from abroad. "I had participated in a couple of bazaars, which was held by these expats. That is why I get customers from abroad. Some come from the USA, Canada, England, India, to Japan. According to them, they like the glasses, and the art value is quite high," said Triyono

The information is spread quickly through mouth-to-mouth. Therefore there are many colleagues from those expats who join and buy Triyono's products. With the increase in his business, he started to find artisans that can help his business. One is the wood craftsmen, who came from Wonogiri, and one of them is copper craftsmen, who came from Jogjakarta. "One more is helping in Jakarta," he added.

Metal and woodcraft products are priced at various prices. The price starts from IDR 100,000 for brooch products or napkin rings. Meanwhile, the most expensive product is a copper statue, which is priced at IDR 45 million. The turnover earned from his business is around IDR 40 - 50 million per month. "People who are interested in my products can come directly to East Kemang," he said.

Vice President of Corporate Communication of Pertamina, Fajiryah Usman, added that the effort to Go Global for Pertamina's Fostered MSMEs is made in many ways. One of them is like what is done by Triyono. Other than that, other efforts have been arranged by the Partnership Program. "There are business forums and business matching with foreign buyers to introduce our MSMEs products to foreign buyers," said Fajriyah.

Before that, usually, Pertamina would pay more attention to essential guidance first. Such as helping to obtain business permits or other certificates. After that, Pertamina pushed the traditional MSMEs to Go Modern, Go Digital, Go Online, to Go Global. "This is an implementation of the Goal 8 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is hoped that it can help people get decent jobs and encourage national economic growth, "concluded Fajriyah.**