Conducts Lake Toba DPSP Business Matching Event, Pertamina Encourages Domestic Products Utilization in the Hospitality Industry
Jakarta, August 16, 2022 – PT Pertamina (Persero), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) of the Republic of Indonesia, initiated a Business Meeting for Strengthening the Tourism Industry and Creative Economy Supply Chain in the Super Priority Tourism Area (DPSP) Lake Toba for two days, August 10-11, 2022. This activity was attended by 100 MSMEs.
Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy / Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Menparekraf / Kabaparekraf), Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, stated that tourism stakeholders in Lake Toba are expected not only to help in hotels and restaurants but also the ecosystem. It is because all of them have the opportunity to present business opportunities and employment opportunities.
"Our programs present a concrete solution to help the community. We empathize and embrace MSMEs, so they can face this quite difficult situation," said Sandiaga.
Based on BPS data from March 2022, there was an increase in foreign tourists of 74,380 visitors or by 220 percent compared to March 2021. It was conveyed by the Director of Industrial Management of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Anggara Hayun Anujuprana during the Business Meeting for Strengthening the MSME Supply Chain with Hotels, in the Multipurpose Building of the Medan Tourism Polytechnic on Wednesday (10/8/2022).
Meanwhile, SMEPP Manager of Pertamina, Rudi Ariffianto, said SME players must continue to develop creativity and innovation in facing new post-pandemic habits. "Pertamina through the PUMK program is present amid the society to grow and develop as a real step to increase business to be productive, efficient, and profitable,” he said.
This activity is a follow-up step to increasing the tourism sector, which is an opportunity to boost the MSMEs' economy.
Pertamina supports the Government's program to accelerate the national economy recovery through MSMEs empowerment in the tourism and creative economy sectors. For this reason, in carrying out its role, Pertamina, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, seeks to empower, develop, and facilitate MSMEs by holding Business Matching, which aims to bring together MSME actors in the Hospitality Industry.
During the series of Business Matching, it is hoped to improve the economy in the Lake Toba DPSP, which bridges MSME actors to promote their products so that sales transactions occur. Previously, MSME actors had received training that focused on studying business communication and negotiation techniques for MSME actors. Therefore, they will have confidence when dealing directly with potential buyers to present their superior products.
The Business Forum attended by the Head of the North Sumatera Tourism Office, the Deputy for Industry & Investment, the Senior Manager for UMK Empowerment of PT Telkom, and the Director of Industrial Management - Kemenparekraf, held a presentation session by MSME actors and continued with a Memorandum of Understanding signing between MSMEs and Hotels. On that occasion, five MSMEs symbolically signed a supply chain cooperation agreement for their products with four hotels.
One of the Fostered Partners who attended this business meeting was Mahdian, an MSME that produces Sanjay Balado chips and opaque.
"I want to work with the hotel, and through this activity, my hope is realized," he said. The target market of his business follows the hotel industry, where hotels usually require a variety of snacks.
Vice President of CSR & SMEPP Management, Fajriyah Usman, ensured that the MSMEs fostered partners in Lake Toba could present superior-high-quality products that were not inferior to big brands. "I am optimistic that MSME actors are ready to compete and can take advantage of this chance to gain sales opportunities," she said.
According to her, this is a significant momentum for the Government to encourage economic growth. The continuous support given by the Government must be utilized as well as possible, increasing creativity in making innovations must be continued. Through the previous training provided by Pertamina, it is expected to sharpen MSMEs' ability in facing competition.
On this 2022 National MSME Day, Pertamina continues to provide guidance for MSMEs and make more structured improvements for MSMEs to upgrade. "Hopefully, the Business Matching activities can run smoothly, and the national economic recovery can be achieved," she stated.
The support for Goal 8 of the SDG's achievement, namely Decent Work and Economic Growth, is realized by Pertamina through PUMK. This program is a means for companies to empower MSMEs, with the same objective as the state regarding jobs and employment opportunities, which will significantly impact poverty reducement. Through this program, Pertamina will continue to support inclusive and sustainable economic growth while providingdecent jobs and national economic growth.**