Pertamina business support director Erry Widiastono stated that Pertamina SMEXPO 2023 aimed to encourage micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to enter the international stage. Through SMEXPO, MSMEs could enhance their confidence, in line with their abilities and expertise to identify market trends, as well as innovating to meet the market’s needs.

"Pertamina SMEXPO 2023 is not just a showcase of MSME products. It is also a mentoring platform provided by Pertamina for MSME players with the aim of improving MSMEs’ capabilities and expertise in identifying market trends," he said at Pertamina SMEXPO 2023’s closing ceremony in Gandaria City on Nov. 5.

Erry added that the sales turnover during the six-day Pertamina SMEXPO 2023 event in Jakarta reached its Rp 1.3 billion target for retail purchases, as well as an additional Rp 13 billion in potential transactions from both domestic and international players who are expected to place large orders.

Those buyers from the business sector resulted from business-matching activities, which were part of the Pertamina SMEXPO 2023 event. The business matching successfully brought together potential buyers that include hoteliers, restaurant owners, cafe operators and corporations. Among them were the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Indonesian entrepreneurs from various regions, as well as businesspeople from Malaysia, China, Korea and the United States.

The presence of foreign consumers reflects Pertamina's hopes of expanding MSMEs under its guidance to the global stage, in line with Pertamina SMEXPO 2023’s theme of "Moving from Local to Global."

Attaining a MURI record

Pertamina SMEXPO 2023 also gained the attention of the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI). MURI presented an award to Pertamina during the closing ceremony of SMEXPO 2023 in Jakarta for its commitment to providing training for disabled individuals who create through MSMEs.

The award was given by MURI representative Triyono to Pertamina Business Support Director Erry Widiastono. "We from MURI present a certificate to Pertamina for its commitment to providing inclusive and disability training. They not only enhance soft skills but also provide a market or opportunities for disabled MSME players to enter the global market," he said.

Pertamina corporate communications vice president Fadjar Djoko Santoso revealed that Pertamina has empowered over 500 disabled individuals from 2022 to 2023. Some of them are now self-reliant and have integrated into various industries, in line with the development of the MSME sector.

Moreover, the Sobat Istimewa Pertamina disabled community was also involved in the SMEXPO 2023 through six MSMEs, namely Kresna Patra, Safina Quilt, Merajut Asa Kita, Rumah Jahit Lestari, Mutiara Handycraft and Batik Sasambo.

"The development of MSMEs is Pertamina's effort to promote community self-reliance and economic growth, including for the disabled community to gain greater confidence, benefits and independence," Fadjar said.

In addition to Jakarta, Pertamina SMEXPO 2023 was also held in three other major cities, namely Balikpapan from Oct. 26 to 28; Semarang from Nov. 3 to 5; and Pekanbaru from Nov. 15 to 19. Those who could not attend Pertamina SMEXPO 2023 in person can still access its virtual platform at smexpo.pertamina.com to view and examine MSME products supported by Pertamina.

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