BEKASI \u2014 Strengthening micro, small and medium-sized enterprises\n(MSMEs) requires more than training. Ongoing mentoring, access to\nfinance and broader markets are important if businesses are to scale up\nand create new sources of income for communities.<\/p>\n
Pertamina Foundation Operations Director Gusman Adiwardhana said\nPertamina continues to support MSME development through various\nempowerment programmes. One such initiative is Pertamina SMEXPO 2026\nRegional Bekasi, involving 50 MSMEs.<\/p>\n
According to Gusman, MSMEs still face three main challenges to\ngrowth: financing, market access and product quality. These issues are\nthe focus of the mentoring programme run by Pertamina Foundation to help\nbusinesses improve their competitiveness and expand their reach.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is where Pertamina Foundation seeks to ensure that its MSME\ndevelopment programmes address those three issues. We hope the MSMEs\nreceiving development support and mentoring can grow to the point where\nthey enter global markets,\u201d Gusman said.<\/p>\n
He said Pertamina Foundation\u2019s empowerment programmes now reach its\nbusiness partners and local heroes in 28 provinces across Indonesia. The\napproach goes beyond training, providing mentoring to help entrepreneurs\ndevelop their potential and build independent businesses.<\/p>\n
Gusman said strengthening MSMEs is strategically important to the\nnational economy. With nearly 65 million businesses, MSMEs contribute\naround 61 per cent of Indonesia\u2019s gross domestic product (GDP). Their\nsubstantial contribution shows the important role they play in driving\neconomic activity in communities.<\/p>\n
Pertamina Foundation is therefore seeking to provide marketing\nplatforms that connect products from its partner businesses with\nconsumers. Pertamina SMEXPO is one way to expand business networks,\nincrease transactions and create opportunities for MSMEs to reach larger\nmarkets.<\/p>\n
The effectiveness of these efforts is reflected in transaction\nfigures from regional SMEXPO events. Gusman said sales at SMEXPO, which\nhad previously ranged from Rp2.5 billion to Rp2.6 billion, rose to Rp3.8\nbillion at the three-day SMEXPO Regional Yogyakarta 2026.<\/p>\n
According to event data, that was a 52 per cent increase on SMEXPO\nRegional Yogyakarta 2025, which recorded sales of Rp2.5 billion. The\n2024 Yogyakarta event generated Rp2.6 billion, while Jakarta\u2019s 2025\nevent recorded Rp2.6 billion.<\/p>\n
Gusman said the increase in transactions was one indicator that wider\nmarketing access can help partner businesses grow. As markets open up,\nMSMEs have more opportunities to increase sales and expand their\noperations.<\/p>\n
Alongside market development, Pertamina Foundation is encouraging\nMSMEs to improve product quality so they can compete nationally and\ninternationally. Some partner businesses have already made progress,\ntaking their products into export markets.<\/p>\n
By involving 50 MSMEs in SMEXPO Regional Bekasi 2026, Pertamina hopes\nto give more businesses the opportunity to develop. The effort is\nexpected not only to increase MSME incomes, but also to create new\nsources of economic activity, strengthen communities\u2019 self-reliance and\nestablish MSMEs as drivers of the national economy.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pertamina-foundation-seeks-to-help-msmes-move-up-the-value-chain-1793451089", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }