Pertamina Launches SMEXPO 2023, Realizing Sustainable Vision

Jakarta, October 31, 2023 - PT Pertamina (Persero) has inaugurated the SMEXPO 2023 event on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, in Jakarta. The Pertamina SMEXPO marks the rise of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) products that have been curated into quality works, a result of Pertamina's ongoing development programs.

The Pertamina Small Medium Enterprise Expo, or Pertamina SMEXPO, is an annual program. This event is a strategic effort by Pertamina presented as a consistent contribution towards nurturing and developing Indonesian MSMEs, which play a crucial role as drivers of the national economy.

President Director of Pertamina, Nicke Widyawati, revealed that stemming from innovation during the pandemic, this fourth-year event aims to advance Indonesian MSMEs to compete and grow in both domestic and international markets.

"Alhamdulillah (praise be to God), through the SMEXPO program, we can reopen and drive the MSME market not only in Indonesia but also in the international market," Nicke said at the Pertamina SMEXPO 2023 inauguration at Grha Pertamina, Jakarta, on Tuesday (31/10).

The theme for this year's Pertamina SMEXPO is "Melangkah dari Lokal ke Global" (Stepping from Local to Global), reflecting Pertamina's efforts to promote inclusive MSMEs empowerment, providing equal space and opportunities for all segments of society, including women and those with disabilities.

"The MSMEs development is one of Pertamina's priorities because MSMEs are what sets Pertamina apart from other companies and countries. It is something we must collectively support, especially considering that, based on national data, 97% of employment comes from MSMEs," Nicke explained.

Following the inclusivity values upheld by Pertamina, the focus on empowering women in MSMEs last year successfully engaged 14,000 women-led MSMEs for economic self-reliance.

This year, Pertamina has expanded its inclusivity focus to the "Sobat Istimewa" program, an initiative for the disabled and those with special needs communities. In 2022, Pertamina has supported at least 500 Sobat Istimewa, providing them with guidance and training in fashion, food, and crafts. Among them, 100 individuals have found employment, either by starting their businesses or being absorbed into industries.

Pertamina SMEXPO 2023 will be held from October 31 to November 5 at Gandaria City, Jakarta. Besides Jakarta, Pertamina SMEXPO 2023 will also take place in three other major cities: Balikpapan (October 26-28, 2023), Semarang (November 3-5, 2023), and Pekanbaru (November 15-19, 2023).

Pertamina SMEXPO 2023 serves as a platform for business meetings between entrepreneurs and potential buyers, along with various workshops, entertainment, and other engaging activities.

Besides the offline exhibition, Pertamina SMEXPO can be accessed online through the virtual platform at smexpo.pertamina.com. This platform serves as a marketplace for around 1,000 MSMEs fostered by the Pertamina Group, showcasing thousands of excellent products.

Pertamina, as a leading company in the energy transition, is committed to supporting the Net Zero Emission 2060 target by continuously promoting programs that directly impact the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement. All these efforts align with Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) implementation across all Pertamina's business lines and operations.**