National Coffee Day, Pertamina Supports Fostered Partners Coffee Products Until They Are Ready to Export and Go Global

Jakarta, March 12, 2021 - To this day, PT Pertamina (Persero) has fostered more than 65 thousand micro and small enterprises (MSEs) from various sectors through the Partnership Program. One of the mainstay commodity is the coffee industry sector. Pertamina, as one of the strategic SOEs in Indonesia fully supports this sector by fostering MSEs and coffee farmers to upgrade and Go Global.

Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations of Pertamina, Agus Suprijanto, said that up to now, there are more than 175 MSEs in the coffee business, from plantations to processing to final products. "These fostered partners raise distinctive coffee from their respective regions, from Aceh to Papua," he said.

Agus added, the majority of coffees produced by Pertamina's fostered partners have good quality. Because, as long as they are mentored, they are assisted to improve their quality so that they are able to obtain a number of certifications and business permits. "To coincide with the National Coffee Day which falls on March 11, Pertamina invites all Indonesian people to support the Nusantara coffee MSEs by buying their products," he added.

One of Pertamina's fostered partners who is involved in this field is Raulan Togatorop. This coffee business owner whose brand name A2E Alaxest Coffee is considered a new player in the coffee world. However, since starting his business in mid-2019, he has committed in making his coffee products superior with export quality.

His business is located at Griya Prima Srigunting Blok G No.20 Housing, Sunggal Sub-district, Deli Serdang District, North Sumatra, and has made many inovations on its products. “Even though the marketing is still in local stage, the packaging of our ground coffee already uses the lastest drip paper as seen in many cafes or coffee shops. Thereby, it is convenient to travel with and can be enjoyed at home or in the office,” said Raulan.

Beside Raulan, there is also Pertamina’s coffee-producing partner who has been quite successful in exporting its original Batang coffee to various countries. Namely Wiweko, owner of WE Coffee and Tea located in Hamlet Tambakboyo RT.003 / RW.001, Tambakboyo Village, Reban Sub-district, Batang District, which has marketed its products in several Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

"We regularly send processed coffee to Hong Kong, each opening with an average of 10 kg. To Japan on request, once up to 100 kg. To South Korea on request, usually as much as 50 kg. And currently in the negotiation process to be able to send to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Their request is 1 container / month,” he said.

Agus added, with the support provided by all parties, it will be able to help business owners and workers as well as their families. This also supports the implementation of SDGs which is goal number 8 that is to provide decent work and support economic growth.**