Balikpapan Starts the Pertamina SMEXPO 2023 Series in Four Cities
Balikpapan, October 28, 2023 – Bringing together 90 MSMEs and 40 Tourism Industry Players, PT Pertamina (Persero) has once again collaborated with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) to organize the Business Strengthening Supply Chain Meeting in the Creative Economy Industry, entitled "KENAROK INPAREKRAF X PERTAMINA SMEXPO" (National Partnership for the Supply Chain of the Tourism and Creative Economy Industry) in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan Province.
Acting Governor of East Kalimantan, Akmal Malik, expressed that MSME products would be showcased in hotels, "This is to display MSME products in hotels in East Kalimantan, which indirectly contributes to maintaining inflation," Akmal said.
The Pertamina SMEXPO Balikpapan event took place from October 26 to October 28, 2023, at Pentacity Mall BSB, LG Floor, to promote collaboration between the Tourism Industry and MSMEs, especially in the East Kalimantan Province.
"So, production with marketing has its networking. It is the responsibility of the Tourism Office, as local governments exist for their people, assisted with quality guidance and funding from government partners. We must strive to find ways for these MSME to enter the real market," Akmal added.
At the same time, the Deputy for Industry and Investment, Rizki Handayani, highlighted that collaboration between agencies and companies to support the MSMEs advancement linked to the tourism sector will create an ecosystem that support the economy.
"In the future, we will continue encouraging export-oriented businesses to increase foreign exchange earnings," Rizki stated.
Collaborations between Pertamina and Kemenparekraf for similar activities successfully was held at five Super Priority Tourism Destination Points (DPSP) in 2022. This year, it will continue at five locations with a supply chain strengthening program for the tourism industry in Bandung, Denpasar, Balikpapan, and two locations to follow in Surabaya and Batam.
Vice President of Corporate Communication of Pertamina, Fadjar Djoko Santoso, explained that Pertamina SMEXPO is an annual event showcasing high-quality products from its fostered MSMEs. It allows MSME products to reach a wider market. Besides product exhibitions, SMEXPO also includes various activities that can enhance the MSMEs quality, such as workshops and Business Meetings to connect MSMEs with potential business consumers.
"We hope this event can become a One-Stop Solution for both retail and business consumers, fostering long-term support for MSMEs, creating a multiplier effect to stimulate the local economy, generate job opportunities, and bring MSMEs to the global stage with quality products," Fadjar clarified.
Similarly, VP of CSR & SMEPP Management at Pertamina, Fajriyah Usman, stated that SMEXPO provides an opportunity for MSMEs to sell and exhibit their products in places with significant potential for retail customers and buyers.
She hopes that the event becomes a permanent fixture, strengthening local content in the supply chain of the creative economy industry, thus distributing creative economy products throughout the region.
"Even though this activity an annual event by Pertamina, there is something different about the business meeting in Balikpapan this time. Besides briefing and signing an MoU between MSME players, it is enlivened by MSME products exhibition part of the Pertamina SMEXPO 2023 series," Fajriyah Usman said.
Fajriyah hoped that the MSME exhibition would be a platform for selling curated MSME products, providing edupreneurship for visitors, business consultation corners, building partnership networks, and eventually fostering collaboration among MSME players.
"The tourism and creative economy sectors became interconnected in supporting the growth and development of MSMEs," Fajriyah expressed.
The growth of tourism destinations will have a positive impact on MSMEs and the creative industry, ultimately accelerating the economic recovery of the community.
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.**