Pertamina Collaborates with 66 Thousand Women MSMEs and Environmentally Friendly Products
Jakarta, April 23, 2024 - In celebration of Kartini Day and Earth Day on April 21 and 22, 2024, PT Pertamina (Persero) continues its commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) who are also consistently caring for the earth through the development of environmentally friendly products. More than 66 thousand MSMEs are supported by Pertamina, including businesses owned by women and operating in environmentally friendly sectors.
Vice President of Corporate Communication of Pertamina, Fadjar Djoko Santoso, stated that women MSME entrepreneurs have the opportunity to grow and develop. Through women's empowerment, Pertamina believes it can strengthen their capacity to become agents of change, preserve the environment, and promote a more sustainable lifestyle.
"Women's empowerment follows with a commitment to supporting sustainable development goals. Through environmentally friendly product creation, MSMEs produce attractive export-quality products, thus reaching a wider market and achieving a sustainable earth," he explained.
Rumah BUMN Palangkaraya, one of the 30 Rumah BUMN (State-Owned Enterprises Houses) of Pertamina, actively organizes special training for women in conjunction with Kartini Day, in line with the significant contribution of women to the Indonesian business sector highlighted by BPS Data 2021. Women play a significant role in the business sector, reaching 64.5% of the total MSMEs in Indonesia, or around 37 million MSMEs, with a projected value of USD 135 billion by 2025.
A tangible example of this collaboration occurs at RB Palangkaraya, where Agus Lindriyanto, as its facilitator, focuses on non-food women's MSME development. "By innovating and producing local handicraft products such as woven rattan bracelets and hijab brooches, they not only benefit from local wisdom but also preserve traditions and strengthen the local economy sustainably," he enthusiastically stated.
Indang Apang Galeri, one of Pertamina's fostered MSMEs, also serves as a mentor during the Kartini moment training at RB Palangkaraya. "In addition to running my business since 2019, I also provide training to fellow entrepreneurs at RB Palangkaraya, teaching them how to weave rattan bracelets, and I also provide training to students and engage in extracurricular activities for elementary to high school students," said Amel, the owner of Indang Apang Galeri.
She empowers mothers around the production house to weave various products such as backpacks, waist bags, caps, wallets, and accessories priced from IDR 30,000 to IDR 1,000,000. Her sales turnover reaches IDR 100,000,000 per month. The raw materials are obtained through cooperation with artisans in the Central Kalimantan Province area, including Mandomai, Barito, Kaladan, Palangkaraya, and Pulang Pisau.
"We utilize leftover rattan waste to produce dishwashing scrubbers, and we make small rattan pieces into keychains, so there is no leftover product that becomes waste and pollutes the environment," she said.
Similarly, Putu Fitri Ertaningsih reaffirms her commitment to change towards sustainable fashion. As the owner of UMKM Cap Bali, one of the main aspects of the change is where business waste is transformed into useful products. "We utilize fabric scraps to create attractive accessories such as bandanas, necklaces, and hair ties for Cap Bali customers," said Putu Fitri.
On the other hand, Cap Bali also strengthens women by involving 30 employees, who are generally the backbone of families, to enhance skills, develop business potential, and actively participate in local economic development. "We are committed to supporting women in realizing dreams and business potential," she said.
It proves that women entrepreneurs play a significant role in efforts to preserve the environment and advance the economy. "I believe that Indonesian women have great potential to contribute to sustainable development, and I am committed to continuing to move in that direction," she added.
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, and Governance (ESG) implementation across all Pertamina's business lines and operations.