Ministry of SOE & Pertamina Presents Pasar Rakyat and SOE MSME Bazaar

Balikpapan, October 12, 2022 - To support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) development in Balikpapan City, Pertamina, with the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) held a Pasar Rakyat and MSME exhibition. Through this activity, SOEs' contribution to the country is expected to be increasingly recognized by the community.

Through Pasar Rakyat, 4,000 affordable necessities were sold. In addition, 50 MSMEs in various sectors assisted by Pertamina were also presented to market their mainstay products. This activity took place at Merdeka Square, Balikpapan City (Friday, 07/10).

For the food package supply, Pertamina collaborated with Bulog, a state-owned company, in providing affordable basic food packages. Each package contains five kg of rice, one kg of sugar, and one liter of cooking oil.

The Pasar Rakyat and MSME Bazaar activities were attended and opened directly by Special Staff III of the Ministry of SOEs, Arya Sinulingga. This is a collaboration between SOEs to support the economic movement in the region.

"Almost our daily life needs are in contact with SOE's activities or products. SOEs are present in things that the private sector may not want to take part, but that is where SOEs' role is," Arya said.

Arya also appreciated the Pasar Rakyat event. "We appreciate this synergy because this activity is also for our economic recovery. The Pasar Rakyat and the MSME Bazaar booth will benefit the economy of Balikpapan City," Arya said.

The support from the Balikpapan City Government was conveyed by the Mayor of Balikpapan, Rahmad Mas'ud. Rahmat said that the Balikpapan City Government encourages MSMEs to upgrade and increase their capacity. This effort is realized through the Creative Economy Agency and exhibitions organized for MSME actors.

"I hope with the synergies and opportunities created by various parties, MSME actors will continue to learn to improve the quality of their products. Hopefully, through this activity, synergistic and harmonious relations with the government, SOE, private sector, and society can continue to be created," he said.

After handing over the food packages symbolically, Special Staff III of the Ministry of SOEs, Arya Sinulingga, with the Mayor of Balikpapan, Rahmad Mas'ud, visited the MSME booths. On that occasion, Arya and Rahmad Mas'ud converse with MSME actors. They tried the MSME products that were marketed at the exhibition.

Meanwhile, Vice President of CSR & SMEPP Management PT Pertamina (Persero), Fajriyah Usman, said that Pertamina is also committed to supporting the SME development in Balikpapan City. One of them, with the Ministry of SOEs attended the Rumah Kreatif BUMN.

"For MSMEs who need assistance to develop their business, they can join the Rumah Kreatif BUMN. There is a label machine there. Hopefully, through this Rumah Kreatif BUMN, more MSMEs will get assistance to be upgraded," Fajriyah concluded.**