Encourage MSMEs to Go Global, Pertamina Brings Leading Foster Partners to Turkey

Jakarta, June 10, 2022 – PT Pertamina (Persero) continues to encourage its Foster Partners to go global. One of the efforts is to involve two of their foster partners in the Festival Pasar Senggol Turki 2022 at the Halic Congress Center Istanbul, Turkey, on Sunday (05/06).

The "Leading Asian Market in Turkey" exhibition with the theme "Building a Cultured and Entrepreneurial Diaspora". This event is the inaugural event for Indonesian economic and cultural festival in Turkey. It is a collaboration between the Indonesian Consulate General in Istanbul, the World Indonesian Student Association (PPI), and the Ministry of SOEs. Present at the event, the Indonesian Ambassador for Turkey, Dr. Then Muhamad Iqbal, Indonesian Consul General in Istanbul, Imam As'ari, Special Staff to the Minister of SOEs, Arya Sinulingga (virtually), PPI World Coordinator, Faruq Ibnul Haqi, member of the Indonesian Student Association (PPI), and Ambassadors from friendly countries and the diaspora and local Turks.

“This activity aims to open a new market. The Ministry of SOEs also encourages MSMEs participating to take part in the Bussiness Forum, which is part of the Indonesia Turkey Business Forum and Global Leaders Award activities in Istanbul," Arya Sinulingga said. This activity will bring together MSMEs and potential buyers from Istanbul Ticaret Odasi (ITO) or the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, which will be held the day after, and attended by around 100 ITO members.

The Pertamina Foster Partners who attended the festival in Turkey were Kopi Geulis and Roemah Kebaya Vielga (RKV).

"Alhamdulillah, I am very grateful for the opportunity to take part in the Turkish Senggol Market Festival, which is fully facilitated by Pertamina," said Ai Awang Hayati, the owner of Kopi Geulis from Sumedang, West Java. Some entrepreneurs are interested in Kopi Geulis Arabica winey process products which are considered not halal. "After getting an explanation that Arabica Winey is halal that tastes like wine, they are very enthusiastic and brave to taste the coffee," she said.

Indonesian Ambassador for Turkey, Dr. Then Muhammad Iqbal, who frequently consumes real coffee, appreciates the participation of Kopi Geulis in this leading promotional event in Turkey by presenting a Trade Attaché that can bridge Kopi Geulis marketing in Turkey.

Kopi Geulis produces high-quality robusta and arabica coffee with 100% coffee composition from Sumedang, West Java. Kopi Geulis empowers coffee farmers around Mount Manglayang Timur, which has been certified with Geographical Indications. Along the way, Kopi Geulis has exported to China, the USA, Russia, South Africa, and Uzbekistan. Kopi Geulis received the Gold Class Coffee title, ranked first, with the highest score in the cupping taste test from 26 participants throughout Indonesia at the Agro Expo and Halal Expo events in Senayan, Jakarta, in 2019.

Similar to Ai, Vielga Wennida owner of Kebaya Vielga, also expressed her gratitude to Pertamina for the opportunity to develop its business into a Go Global MSME. "I hope that in the future our products are known and liked by the Turkish people so that in the future, there will be business opportunities there," she said.

Roemah Kebaya Vielga (RKV) is a fashion brand that produces contemporary kebayas combined with Indonesian flowers in soft colors.

Roemah Kebaya Vielga is produced from high-quality silk, cotton, denim, and viscose fabrics. Apart from kebaya, Roemah Kebaya Vielga also produces accessories and shoes. RKV products have been exported to the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Acting VP of Corporate Communication of Pertamina, Heppy Wulansari, explained PT Pertamina (Persero) had various ways to support its MSME partners to rise from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic with a coaching roadmap scheme. Starting from traditional conditions, becoming Go Modern, Go Digital, Go Online, to Go Global. "All of this is given to foster partners indiscriminately, to encourage SMEs to be superior and independent," she said.

Pertamina continues to assist its MSMEs to go global. "Through the UMK Academy and Pertamina SMEXPO programs in 2021, it is recorded that the UMKM assisted by Pertamina is able to go global with a total transaction of more than IDR 9 billion," Heppy concluded.

In supporting MSMEs, Pertamina always supports the achievement of point eight of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and the implementation of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) based programs in all its operational areas. It is part of the Environmental and Social Responsibility (TJSL) to realize economic benefits in the community.**