Thanks to Pertamina’s Support, Sragen MSMEs Can Go Global

August 22, 2024 - Mira Joe never imagined that her business, Batik Murni Asih, which she started from scratch in 2012, would grow so rapidly. Starting as an employee at a batik store in Sragen Regency, Central Java, this batik lover developed her own business. Mira, as she is called, has even gone international and now has an outlet in Malaysia.

Her achievement began when she joined Pertamina's fostered MSMEs in 2020 before the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Mira acknowledged that she gained many benefits after becoming a partner of PT Pertamina (Persero). For instance, she learned to manage her business and participated in various events and exhibitions.

She even received a loan from Pertamina. With this capital, Mira could increase Batik Murni Asih’s production. The low-interest loan allowed Mira to maintain her business's cash flow. Her business grew even further after she received online marketing training.

"I was allowed to join the Pertamina UMK Academy 2023 and attend the Go Online class," Mira said. She learned the ins and outs of social media and how to sell there, including preparing suitable materials and strategies for selling on marketplaces.

Mira became one of the top Pertamina UMK Academy 2023 participants, finishing as the runner-up in the Go Online class. The prize was substantial: IDR 20 million. With that money, she could purchase several machines that increased the quantity and quality of Batik Murni Asih. Her sales increased, and her business grew.

Now, Mira owns her garment factory and has several batik stores in Thamrin City, Aceh, and an outlet in Malaysia. The number of her employees has also grown to dozens.

The knowledge Mira gained from the Pertamina UMK Academy led her to expand beyond Batik Murni Asih. She created new brands named Poenja Batik and Mierto. In addition to producing batik clothes, Mira's production house also makes various men's shirts, blazers, children's clothing, and more.

Mira's customers come from various cities in Indonesia. Many are attracted after seeing the Instagram account she manages. Recently, customers from other countries have also started ordering her products. "From Asian countries like Myanmar," said Mira, who once worked as a freelance employee at a batik shop in Yogyakarta.

Mira did not just pursue profits; she started her business to raise Sragen Batik’s popularity. She believes that many people are still unfamiliar with Sragen batik motifs, which tend to be abstract and rich in color. Her initial focus was on selling batik produced by artisans in various villages.

At the time, Mira noticed that many batik artisans were struggling. They had difficulty selling their products. On top of that, some dishonest salespeople failed to pay. "At that time, my intention was just to help the batik artisans so they could earn money," she said.

Lately, Mira's batik business expanded rapidly. She expanded her business to Jakarta, boldly opening a store at the Thamrin City Batik Wholesale Center in Central Jakarta. Mira realized that her batik would struggle to compete if she did not innovate and create. Her batik production became more vibrant and colorful.

This innovation and creativity earned Mira recognition from the sixth president of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). Yudhoyono once wore Sragen hand-drawn batik with the parang motif, a classic batik pattern featuring peacocks and birds of paradise. SBY's son, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, also wore a blue batik shirt with bird motifs from Mira.

Mira is determined to continue creating new products. One of them is a batik skirt that, when worn, looks like traditional fabric. The skirt is casual and practical for consumers of various ages. She also accepts special orders for batik with Papua's cultural motifs. "We have to keep up with market trends and reach new markets," she said.

Mira acknowledges that her business's success cannot be separated from Pertamina's role. She is very grateful for the extensive support she received from Pertamina, particularly in terms of business mentoring, marketing, and branding through Pertamina's Rumah BUMN social media platform.

"Pertamina's support has been extraordinary. Now, I have more connections, and my batik market has become broader," said Mira.

Pertamina's efforts to develop businesses through the Pertamina UMK Academy continue. This year, the Pertamina UMK Academy has recruited 1,686 micro and small business owners as regional participants out of more than 8,000 SME applicants. Thousands of participants are currently undergoing training, mentoring, and exhibitions at the regional level.

VP of Corporate Communication of PT Pertamina (Persero), Fadjar Djoko Santoso, stated that the UMK Academy aligns with the corporation's commitment to implementing the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely inclusive and sustainable economic growth and full and productive employment under Goal 8 of the SDGs, which is realized through the SME funding and coaching program.

"The UMK Academy helps Indonesian MSMEs advance, improve quality, and become digitally savvy, which can open doors to global markets. It has been proven by the SMEs’ participation in previous years. They have become more productive, innovative, and developed," he said in Jakarta.

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.**