Pertamina's Role for MSMEs during the Pandemic Era: Holding Online "Schools" Up to IDR 256 Billion

Jakarta, September 12, 2020 - Pertamina's attention to Indonesian MSMEs is endless. After successfully holding Pertamina SMEXPO 2020, a virtual exhibition for MSMEs with the most products, Pertamina's commitment continues by making e-learning specifically for the development of fostered MSMEs partners.

Vice President of Corporate Communication of Pertamina, Fajriyah Usman, explained that the e-learning provided is a digital platform that can be accessed by all Pertamina's fostered partners through www.belajarumkm-pertamina.com.

"This platform was created to encourage MSMEs towards GO Digital. That way, even though we are still in a pandemic, MSMEs can survive and run their business," added Fajriyah.

On this platform, some classes can be followed by Pertamina's fostered MSMEs. Everything will start from the Basic level, followed by Intermediate and Advance levels. All of these learning levels can be followed by MSMEs participants sequentially so that the potential of each MSMEs can be measured.

"We hope that this MSMEs e-learning platform can be a new way for MSMEs to return to learning. Therefore, it can make MSMEs itself be superior and move up in class," she said.

Fajriyah said this is also an effort to achieve sustainable development or SDG, which is expected to help people get decent jobs and encourage national economic growth.

Giving IDR 256 Billion for MSMEs Affected by the Pandemic

In addition to directly fostering MSMEs, during this pandemic, Pertamina also collaborated with various parties to channel partnership capital, especially for MSMEs affected by the pandemic. The total funds given reached IDR 256.27 billion.

Among them is the collaboration with PT Bahana Artha Ventura (BAV), a subsidiary of PT Bahana Pembimbing Usaha Indonesia (BPUI), an insurance and underwriting holding company known as the Indonesia Financial Group (IFG). Through this collaboration, Pertamina provided business capital as a stimulus for MSME players to rise from the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic with a commitment of IDR 150 billion.

Synergy is also established with the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy to channel business capital financing for MSMEs in the food sector. The agreed commitment value is IDR 6.27 billion. The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs & Investment also to channel business capital financing for MSMEs in the Super Priority Tourism Destinations (DPSP) with a projected commitment value of IDR 100 billion. **