Pertamina UMK Academy 2023: Empowering MSME Entrepreneurs to Enter the Global Market

Jakarta, July 12, 2023 - Amelia Agustina's face radiated. Her dream to bring her Micro and Small Enterprise (UMK) products from Kalimantan to the international market is becoming a reality. As the owner of the Indang Apang Gallery on Tjilik Riwut Street, Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, Amelia has been selected as a participant in the UMK Academy 2023 by Pertamina.

As a participant of the UMK Academy, she will receive intensive business acceleration training and business mentoring for the next five months. Notably, she will be accompanied by experienced business experts and Exclusive Facilitators.

"As an entrepreneur with no experience in collaborating with others, this training has been helpful in understanding various fundamental concepts crucial for every business practitioner," Amelia expressed, who is currently exploring collaboration with a footwear brand to expand her business.

Collaboration is the key to accessing the international market. For Amelia, who started her business in 2019, the UMK Academy has opened the opportunity to the global market. Moreover, as an SOE, Pertamina has a long history of assisting MSEs in reaching the global market.

"Pertamina's training sessions have greatly assisted me in determining how to choose business partners and establish cooperative systems with them," she added.

Amelia started her business in woven rattan products such as backpacks, waist bags, work bags, hats, wallets, name tags, shoes, sandals, keychains, mats, and etc. Her products are sold at prices ranging from IDR 30.000 to IDR 1.000.000. She collaborates with artisans from various regions in Central Kalimantan, including Mandomai, Barito, Kaladan, Palangka Raya, and Pulang Pisau, for the raw materials.

Fadjar Djoko Santoso, VP of Corporate Communication of PT Pertamina (Persero), stated that the UMK Academy is designed to uplift MSE enterprises, enabling them to enhance productivity. Following Pertamina's commitment to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) spirit, particularly inclusive and sustainable economic growth, as well as full and productive employment (Goal 8 of the SDGs), through the MSE financing and mentoring programs.

The financing and mentoring programs are among Pertamina's concrete efforts to fulfill this commitment.

"With Pertamina UMK Academy 2023, we hope to improve the quality and capabilities of MSEs, enabling them to compete more effectively in the market," Fadjar expressed.

The UMK Academy is a continuation of the kick-off event "Juara Kelas Bukan Sekadar Mimpi". Pertamina has brought in Exclusive Facilitators such as Nila Kresna for the Go Modern class, Rininta Hanum and Magdalena for the Go Online class, and Alya Mirza for the Go Global class. The learning materials cover marketing and sales strategies, financial management, product and service development, and operational management.

Fadjar added that Pertamina is committed to providing long-term mentoring for participants after they complete the program to ensure they can apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their business development. When they upgrade, these MSEs could expand their market internationally.

One example is the Pertapreneneur Aggregator 2022 winner, Asia Garment International, which features the Bali Sarong brand of beachwear, beach fabrics, and various accessories. With Pertamina's mentoring program, Asia Garment is motivated to engage in digital marketing and successfully market its products in Europe, America, and Africa.

"We are proud to implement this mentoring program as part of Pertamina's commitment to supporting economic empowerment in the community. We believe that UMK Academy participants have extraordinary potential to develop their businesses, and we hope this program can provide the knowledge and skills needed for their success, even in the international market," he 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 & Governance (ESG) implementation across all Pertamina's business lines and operations.**