Pertamina's MSME Development Program Provides Assistance of Healthy Kitchen Production Equipment for Sap Tappers

Jakarta, January 2, 2024 – In late December 2023, PT Pertamina (Persero) granted production equipment worth IDR 100 million to the winner of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) development competition by Pertamina, namely the Pertapreneur Aggregator 2023. CV Bunga Palm, the winner of this Pertapreneur competition, will utilize this production equipment for a healthy kitchen program benefiting hundreds of sap tappers to enhance the quality of palm sugar, making it suitable for export.

Pertapreneur Aggregator is Pertamina's development program for MSMEs to become Collaborative MSMEs or fostered MSMEs capable of nurturing other MSMEs by building collaborative networks among neighboring MSMEs. This chain program aims to collectively advance MSMEs, empowering entrepreneurs to be self-sufficient and competitive, ultimately boosting local and regional economies.

Fadjar Djoko Santoso, the Vice President of Corporate Communication of PT Pertamina (Persero), explained, "Pertamina's Pertapreneur Aggregator program, now entering its second year, is a form of guidance to encourage MSMEs to establish collaborations, share knowledge, expand networks, and markets, ultimately realizing sustainable economic empowerment."

Fadjar elaborated that to participate in the Pertapreneur Aggregator program, Pertamina-fostered MSMEs must demonstrate self-sufficiency and the ability to empower their surrounding communities. This requirement is reflected in the criteria for joining the Pertapreneur Aggregator, which mandates that Pertamina-fostered MSMEs have a minimum monthly turnover of IDR 50 million and have empowered at least three other MSMEs.

This year, Pertamina received 243 proposal submissions from fostered MSMEs. Subsequently, Pertamina, in collaboration with MarkPlus Institute, curated 100 outstanding proposals. These selected proposals underwent business mentoring by expert facilitators, participating in training sessions and preparing business pitch presentations. The program ran from July to November 2023, where the top 10 proposals were showcased to identify the best business programs.

At the conclusion, Fadjar added, "Pertamina designated CV Bunga Palm as the Pertapreneur Aggregator's 1st Place Winner due to its program's potential to drive economic progress for micro-entrepreneurs of Sap Tappers and increase the production value of palm sugar, aligning its quality for export."

Sap Tappers are individuals who climb coconut trees and extract coconut nectar used as raw material for palm sugar or red sugar powder (Javanese sugar). Meanwhile, CV Bunga Palm operates as an organic coconut sugar producer, with a portion of its products already in the export market.

"CV Bunga Palm's role in nurturing Sap Tappers can stimulate a multiplier effect in the palm sugar industry. This stands as an example of Pertapreneur Aggregator's benefits, fostering other Aggregator MSMEs, thus enhancing prosperity while adding value to society," said Fadjar.

Gunarto (60 years old), the owner of CV Bunga Palm, revealed that the grant for healthy kitchen production for sap tappers in the Purbalingga area aims to support palm sugar production. This kitchen will focus on aspects such as lighting, ventilation, kitchen equipment layout, healthy stoves, and supporting tools, hence expectedly enhancing both the quantity and quality of palm sugar production.

Bunga Palm is currently mentoring 250 Sap Tappers spread across three villages in Purbalingga, all part of the "Keping Emas" coconut sugar artisan group. According to Gunarto, they establish partnerships and provide ongoing education, including quality control for organic products, mentoring, and product quality evaluations for farmers.

Gunarto said, "We proposed this routine program in the Pertapreneur Aggregator proposal, dreaming of realizing a healthy kitchen for 250 Sap Tappers in three villages so that their palm sugar products are export-worthy."

Since partnering with Pertamina, Gunarto is one of the MSMEs who gained the opportunity to participate in the Trade Expo Indonesia. From this exhibition, his product exposure increased, entering the export markets of America, the Netherlands, Germany, and Australia, among others.

Besides Gunarto from CV Bunga Palm as the Pertapreneur Aggregator 1st Place Winner, other business competition winners also received a total grant of IDR 230 million for their business development needs, following their respective business focuses. Additionally, the winners received 10 months of business mentoring.

Pertamina's Micro Small Business Funding Program (PUMK) aligns with the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) point 8, aiming for inclusive and sustainable economic growth. As a leader in energy transition committed to Net Zero Emissions by 2060 and implementing ESG throughout its operations, Pertamina remains steadfast in its commitment.

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, and Governance (ESG) implementation across all Pertamina's business lines and operations.**