Pertamina Collaborates with Competent Partner to Accompany Pertamina UMKM Academy 2020 Participants

Jakarta, November 27, 2020 - The Pertamina UMKM Academy event is still going on until December 15, 2020. Now, the participants, which are Pertamina's fostered MSMEs, are trained intensively to upgrade. In carrying out this task, Pertamina also cooperates with several parties who can facilitate training for MSMEs.

Acting Vice President of Corporate Communication of Pertamina, Heppy Wulansari, said that Pertamina appoints several competent institutions and organizations in small business development. Therefore, the results are expected to be maximal and according to the primary purpose, which is to upgrade MSMEs. "We will collaborate with several partners to coach for MSMEs," she said.

These third-parties will also be divided according to the classes according to the roadmap for developing the Pertamina Partnership Program. Namely, for the Go Modern, Go Digital, and Go Online classes, Pertamina collaborated with the MarkPlus Institute as the activity organizer and field assistant for the UMKM Academy participants.

The actions of MarkPlus, according to Heppy, in coaching small businesses are not in doubt. MarkPlus Institute is an Omni-learning platform for individuals or groups who want to develop themselves and are competent in marketing, Business, and Entrepreneurship. "They are used to providing e-learning and Omni-learning (online & in-class training) based training," added Heppy.

As for the Go Global class, Pertamina entrusts Indonesia Diaspora SME-SME Export Empowerment & Development (ID SEED). ID SEED itself is an independent and professional organization consisting of the Indonesian Diaspora in various countries. They establish a synergy with the stakeholders of UKM-IKM Ekspor in Indonesia to foster, develop, and sustainably assist Indonesian MSMEs to be competitive in the international trade arena.

ID SEED's progress in pushing Indonesian MSMEs to the global market is also beyond doubt. One of their roles was demonstrated at the Pertamina SMEXPO event last September. With a number of its affiliates in various countries, ID SEED has succeeded in connecting potential buyers from abroad so that they can buy MSME products under Pertamina.

The two partners are deemed very worthy of accompanying Pertamina-assisted MSMEs on their way up to grade. They will provide several curriculum materials tailored to the classes that are attended by MSMEs. "According to our target, as many as 450 MSMEs can progressively upgrade after joining this program," she said.

Apart from them, several other parties are also collaborating with Pertamina in the Pertamina UMKM Academy 2020 event. Such as e-commerce Blibli.com and several institutions that issue BPOM licenses and certifications, MUI Halal, and intellectual property rights (HaKI). "They served as speakers in several sessions in this event," she explained.

Several benefits will be obtained by the partners of Pertamina UMKM Academy participants. Among them, namely, increasing the market reach of the foster partner's products, increasing the knowledge of the fostered partners in doing digital marketing, and increasing Pertamina's readiness to be adaptive to technology, as well as product standardization, branding management training, and the use of appropriate technology.

By upgrading the MSMEs class, it is hoped to support the government's efforts to realize economic independence and provide employment opportunities. "This is an implementation of the Goal 8 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hopefully, it can help people get jobs and encourage national economic growth," Heppy concluded.**