Go Global MSE: Pertamina Gives Strategy to Create Export Opportunities for Its Fostered Partners' Products

Jakarta, August 22, 2021 – The Pertamina UMK Academy event has proven to encourage Pertamina's fostered partners to upgrade. In 2020, 61 fostered partners successfully graduated as Go Global MSE. This year, the number will increase by providing exports insight to UMK Academy 2021 participants in the Go Global class.

Acting Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations of Pertamina, Fajriyah Usman, explained that the event held virtually last week presented competent speakers in the field of export. "We present speakers from the Republic of Indonesia Ministry of Trade to enlighten MSEs," she said.

The first material was delivered by the Director of Export Development Cooperation, Ministry of Trade, Marolop Nainggolan. In his presentation, Marolop gave many tips about the right timing for MSEs to export. "Of course, that is where the condition of the MSEs has done the research and is ready in terms of product quality," he said.

Research can be done by finding out what goods are suitable for use in the destination country, in terms of seasons, patterns, colors, and various other aspects. "All of this must be done because there are differences in tastes between local and global markets. Even the local market has its taste. For this reason, it is important to do segmenting, targeting, and positioning before exporting," he explained.

In more detail, the export opportunities of Indonesia's micro and small businesses are explained by the Trade Analyst of the Directorate of Market Development and Export Information, Ministry of Trade, Widy Haryono. He started by showing some data on Indonesian export opportunities that MSEs could enter. Therefore, it can be used as a strategy to create export opportunities.

"There are textile products with an export value in 2020 of USD 9.64 million, the largest destination country being the United States. Followed by processed food products with an export value of USD 4.33 million with destinations other than America, namely the Philippines, Malaysia, China, and Singapore. And of course from the handicraft sector with an export value of USD 678.3 million to Asian and European countries," he explained.

To support significant export opportunities for MSEs in Indonesia, the government also has several national export strategies. These include promoting Indonesia's image through overseas exhibitions, supporting the competitiveness of MSEs' products, conducting export human resource training, establishing trade cooperation, and developing markets.

According to Fajriyah, through the MSE Funding Program, Pertamina wants to provide energy that can move the economy--energy that fuels, and energy that produce sustainable growth.

Pertamina also supports SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) point 8 achievements through implementing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)-based programs in all of its operational areas. It is part of the social and environmental responsibility to realize economic benefits in the community.**