Fantastic Achievement, Pertamina Fostered More than 3000 SMEs Exceeding the Target of SMEs to Upgrade in 2020
Jakarta, March 6, 2021 - PT Pertamina (Persero) commitment through the Partnership Program in fostering small businesses in Indonesia to upgrade continues to increase. It is directly proportional to the number of new SMEs that have become Pertamina's fostered partners (MB). In 2020, there was an increase of 48.6 percent or more than 1000 SMEs joining to become Pertamina's fostered partners compared to the previous year.
Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations of Pertamina, Agus Suprijanto, explained that in 2019 the number of Pertamina's fostered partners was 2,068 SMEs. Then in 2020, the number of SMEs being coached increases to 3,073 SMEs. "This makes the total number of SMEs that Pertamina has fostered since 1993 until now is more than 65 thousand SME," he said.
During 2020, many coaching concepts need adjustment, especially when the Covid-19 pandemic hit Indonesia and the world. "Ultimately, the method of fostering SMEs is done online. However, it has had a positive impact. Coaching is more effective and equitable, and fostered partners can be digitally literate," he said.
Pertamina packages this form of guidance through several kinds of programs. Both those that are routine, such as the business incubation program held by Rumah BUMN, and programs with an enormous scope such as Pertamina SMEXPO 2020, Pertamina UMKM Academy: Fast Track, and Pertamina Youthpreneur 2020. All are held to support the fostered SMEs in increasing their competence to upgrade.
Evidently, during 2020 there was an increase to more than 300 percent of the target number of trainees who upgraded. Pertamina initially targeted 230 SMEs to upgrade. However, after the Pertamina UMKM Academy program was held, there was an increase to 795 fostered partners upgraded. "We are grateful because the coaching we have done so far has a real impact on our fostered partners," he added.
The Pertamina Partnership Program's hard work in supporting the independence of SMEs in Indonesia received appreciation from outside parties. Among them are Empowering SME and Optimizing Subsidy for the Top 10 Millennial Innovation Summit of the Ministry of SOE, Award by the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) Indonesia Presidential Award 2020, the Gatra Media Group Award for "Innovation in Generating SMEs through Sustainable Support", and the MURI Award as SMEs Expo Online with the Most Products.
These glorious achievements are inseparable from all forms of collaboration and synergy that Pertamina has made with competent parties. Good synergy with other SOEs and non-SOEs. Agus hopes that this synergy can continue in the future. "Hopefully, this synergy will continue to have a positive impact, especially for Indonesian SMEs and the people around them," he said.
This effort is also the embodiment and implementation of ESG in the social sector and the 8th goal of SDGs, namely to provide work and support national economic growth. Hopefully, these achievements can continue to be improved for the following years," concluded Agus.**