Towards Pertamina SMEXPO : Hit by the Pandemic, Here is the Story of How Hitara Black Garlic Survive

Jakarta, August 20, 2020 – One sector which is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic is Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Hitara Black Garlic, Pertamina Fostered MSMEs, also felt the pandemic impacts. However, Hitara Black Garlic did not give up. Various steps were tried for them to survive and rise from the current conditions.

According to the owner of Hitara Black Garlic, Intan Anastasia, this year has become a year that no one sees coming, especially in the MSMEs sector. Before the pandemic, Intan's business was quite successful. It is evident from its market share, which has reached several Asian countries, Europe, and Australia. 

"Before this pandemic, Hitara carried out more promotions and sales through exhibitions between countries such as Myanmar, Laos, Brunei Darussalam, and Malaysia," added Intan. 

Apart from the Southeast Asian continent, continued Intan, Hitara Black Garlic, was also invited to attend the Halal Expo Australia in Sydney. Europe has also been visited by Hitara Black Garlic when they were invited to a global marketplace event, which is held every two years in Paris, France, in the Salon International de l'alimentation (SIAL). 

In the future, Intan targets America as their target market. "Indeed, we have not yet entered America. We plan to enter America this year. However, because of the pandemic, everything is canceled," she complained. 

Not only does the target market have to change, Intan even has to adjust the Hitara Black Garlic production level. "Initially, four machines were in production. Currently, only one machine is being operated. It is a little sad because Hungary has paid. Besides, I also have orders from France that I still have to send. There are orders from Dubai too. It is all pushed backward," she complained. 

This production adjustment is closely related to sales, which have declined considerably. Intan admitted that her business could no longer rely on the direct sales system that had been used so far. Because of that, now she has switched from using an offline system to an online system. 

"Because of this pandemic, we must have the courage to change, from offline to online. We have also started to enter several marketplaces for sales," she explained. 

She has acquired some knowledge of online sales since joining Pertamina as a fostered partner in January 2020. From Pertamina, she admitted not only to get capital support but also training through online seminars. 

One of her online sales efforts is to participate in Pertamina SMEXPO 2020, which is the largest virtual MSMEs exhibition event in Indonesia held on September 9-11, 2020. In this event, Pertamina presents hundreds of MSMEs, ranging from culinary, fashion, craft, furniture, and agribusiness. 

Vice President of Corporate Communication of Pertamina, Fajriyah Usman, explained that this event was held as a form of company support for MSMEs, who are trying to survive during the pandemic. 

"We are aware that this pandemic affects all sectors in Indonesia. Therefore, we try to support other sectors, especially MSMEs, by providing wider access to market their products. Hopefully, through this activity, the consumer reach will be bigger," she said. 

She added that the entire program was held virtually. Starting from product exhibitions, fashion shows, talk shows, to buying and selling products of other participants. 

"Even though it was held virtually, this program is like an offline exhibition in which anyone can participate openly. Visitors can also join from anywhere through their respective mobile devices," she added.**