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hevron Indonesia continues to demonstrate its commitment to local economic empowerment through supporting small businesses, particularly ones involving women and the physically handicapped.

'€œWe understand and believe that our business success is inseparable from the success of the communities where we operate,'€ said Chevron Indonesia corporate communication manager Dony Indrawan.

In cooperation with partners and other stakeholders, the company conducts intensive corporate social responsibility (CSR) endeavors to empower communities in Riau, West Java and East Kalimantan.

Apart from the provision of capital though soft loans, Chevron Indonesia has designated the making of hand-made batik as one of its premium CSR initiatives.

The batik training program in Pekanbaru focuses on housewives and female dropouts to provide them with an additional source of income for their households. A similar program in East Kalimantan also assists housewives and the disabled.

Underpinning its efforts is the understanding that oil and gas reserves are temporary in nature but survival of communities is sustainable in nature. '€œThat'€™s why Chevron Indonesia designs programs involving local communities through creativity intervention,'€ Dony said.