Participating in Empowering Workers Affected by the Pandemic, Pertamina's Fostered MSMEs Expand to Baby Products to PPE

Jakarta, October 10, 2020 - The focus and attention of PT Pertamina (Persero) to its Fostered MSMEs Partners during the Covid-19 pandemic was unending. Through the Partnership Program, coaching continues both in-person and online. The benefits can also be felt by people who are under the auspices of Pertamina's Fostered MSMEs.

One example is Pertamina's fostered partners Defria Amelia Kirana, the AnnBbaby business owner, based in Jimbaran, Bali. She has paid more attention to the surrounding environment since the beginning of the pandemic. "Since last March, there have been many workers and laborers who have been housed because of the impact of Covid-19. So, I asked them to help my business," explained Defria.

There are at least four sewing workers who are now helping her business. Before that, Defria also empowered the local community in running its business, especially among women or mothers. "We employ a man and three housewives to help the economy. Now, they bring their children to work," she added.

Although her business is focused on selling baby clothes and shoes, Defria has started to expand her business. With these additional workers' help, she began making several products that function as personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks and jackets, with the addition of Indonesian culture. "We made jackets and masks with authentic Indonesian motifs," she added.

Sure enough, her creativity was worthwhile. PPE production is not only attractive to domestic customers but also attracts foreign buyers. There are buyers from Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Germany, South Korea, and Australia recorded as customers. This adds to her enthusiasm so that her products can be increasingly recognized, especially abroad.

Defria said that her own business started around 2014. At that time, she had a second child who was born prematurely. It was quite difficult for her to find the right shoe size for her child. Finally, armed with creativity, she started sewing her child's shoes. "Initially, the story was spread through word of mouth, then many were interested, and I began to pursue this business seriously," she said.

Her efforts were fruitful. Some celebrity kids have bought and used products like Arsy-Ashanty, Rafathar-Raffi Ahmad, Kellen-Krisdayanti, and many more. All of the products are handmade. That is what makes the product quite exclusive, and the results can be maximized.

The turnover that she gets from this home business is quite large. In one month, Defria can pocket an average turnover of around IDR 20-25 million. Defria, who becomes Pertamina's fostered partner in 2020, aspires to have her shop soon. "With God's will, in November, we already have a shop and can employ more people. For social media, please see @annbbabyshop," she said.

Vice President of Corporate Communication of Pertamina, Fajriyah Usman, appreciated Defria's steps. According to her, many parties' collaboration is needed to find a way out of economic difficulties during this pandemic. It includes the work of MSMEs itself. "MSMEs usually have workers; workers have families to support. So it is important to pay more attention to MSMEs," she said.

This attention, according to Fajriyah, can be realized in various aspects. Such as coaching, training, certification assistance, and licensing, which in the end can make these MSMEs independent and superior. "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," she said.**