Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) particularly benefited, either directly or indirectly, from the annual international motorcycle race.

For the event’s second iteration, Pertamina once again brought 50 MSMEs it fosters, including businesses from the East Lombok branch of the Pertamina House of State-Owned Enterprises (RB Pertamina), to provide souvenirs and refreshments in areas around the Mandalika circuit.

Of these MSMEs, 42 food and beverage (F&B) businesses promoted their products at booths in the Bhinneka Zone (Zone A), near the North Tunnel. The remaining eight MSMEs set up shop in Zone B to offer the distinctive crafts and souvenirs of Lombok, alongside MSMEs from other regions of the archipelago.

Fadjar Djoko Santoso, vice president of corporate communications at PT Pertamina, said in reflecting on last year’s experience that 90 percent of the MSMEs this year came from the F&B sector to meet the needs of visitors at the MotoGP. Some of the foods they offered were Lombok dishes, such as nasi ayam taliwang (rice with spiced fried chicken), satay and nasi balap (rice with condiments), while they also offered snacks and cakes.

“The location of these food MSME booths is easily accessible to spectators, as they are situated near the tunnel that spectators pass through to enter the circuit, and are also close to the exhibition area for automotive products," said Fadjar.

Meanwhile, the craft products included a variety of woven bamboo goods, pearls, Lombok screen prints and batik Sasambo from NTB.

Kusman, the owner of Batik Sasambo Seagana, one of Pertamina’s fostered MSMEs, explained that batik Sasambo was distinctive to NTB. The textile’s motifs were deeply rooted in Lombok’s traditional culture as well as its flora and fauna, such as Sasak houses, bamboo, flowers and starfish.

"We extend our gratitude to Pertamina for its support, which includes training, promotional assistance, product displays and participation in both local and national exhibitions," said Kusman.

Pertamina expressed the hope that its efforts to involve MSMEs would go beyond making additional earnings during the MotoGP. Instead, it hoped that the event would serve as a free promotional platform for Lombok’s crafts and F&B businesses so returning visitors to Lombok would seek them out on future trips.

At last year’s Mandalika MotoGP, the 50 participating MSMEs recorded significant transactions totaling almost Rp 500 million (US$32,000) over the two-day event.

"It is hoped that this year will [see] an increase, so this international event in Lombok can have a positive impact on the community. However, what is most important is the sustainability of these MSMEs after the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia 2023 concludes," said Fadjar.

Further, the Pertamina Grand Prix 2023 enables a multiplier effect through the participating MSMEs, helping to increase their incomes as well as jobs, especially for the local workforce.

Visitors to the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia 2023 interested in purchasing the products of fostered MSMEs can take advantage of a 5 percent promotional discount for all purchases made via the MyPertamina application.

Fadjar said involving Pertamina’s fostered MSMEs in the MotoGP was one of the state-owned giant’s contributions to achieving Indonesia’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 8 on job creation and economic growth.

This initiative also supported the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) programs across the areas where it operated.

Fadjar expressed his hope that this year’s Pertamina Grand Prix would have a direct impact on the nation’s economic growth, including the tourism industry and MSME sector.

"May its presence be an opportunity for businesses and MSMEs to penetrate a broader global market," he said.

Pertamina, a leading company in Indonesia’s energy transition, is committed to supporting the goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2060 through continually promoting programs that contribute directly to achieving the SDGs. These efforts are also in line with Pertamina's implementation of ESG principles across all its business lines and operations.