Pertamina Empowers 1,013 MSMEs in Aceh
PT Pertamina (Persero), through the Pertamina BUMN Houses in Aceh Tamiang and East Aceh, has cumulatively mentored 1,013 micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) actors.
Vice President of Corporate Communication at Pertamina, Muhammad Baron, stated in Jakarta on Thursday that the presence of the BUMN Houses serves as a platform for MSMEs to increase business capacity, strengthen product quality and competitiveness, and open access to wider markets.
“Since they began operating, the Pertamina BUMN Houses in Aceh Tlamang and East Aceh have cumulatively mentored 1,013 MSME actors,” he said.
In the mentoring process, Baron continued, the two BUMN Houses have organised 321 training sessions, facilitated MSMEs in 207 exhibition and market expansion activities, and supported the issuance of 1,375 business legalities and certifications.
Mentoring is conducted sustainably by adjusting to the needs and developmental stages of each MSME, ranging from competency and business management enhancement, branding and packaging reinforcement, digital marketing, and fulfilment of legality and certification, to facilitating promotion and participation in various marketing activities.
From this mentoring ecosystem, several local MSMEs have shown continuous progress, including Nalura & Co, Madu Lusera, and Sahada.
Nalura & Co develops pandanus weaving crafts by highlighting local wisdom and Acehnese culture. Through the guidance of the Pertamina BUMN House, Nalura & Co has received strengthening in aspects of branding, marketing, digitalisation, and product development.
This assistance has encouraged business owners to focus not only on the production process but also on building brand identity and packaging local cultural values as a product advantage. Product innovation is also continuously encouraged so that pandanus-based crafts can meet consumer needs and tastes. Consequently, traditional woven products not only maintain their cultural value but are also developed into products that are more functional and relevant to today’s market.
“For us, the BUMN House is not just a place to get information, but also a space to discuss business development. We increasingly understand that to move up a level, MSMEs must continue to learn and adapt, from products, branding, and marketing to the use of digital tools,” said Ratna Dewi, owner of Nalura & Co.
Baron added that the company continues to encourage the Pertamina BUMN Houses to become centres for capacity development as well as links between MSME actors and various growth opportunities.
“Pertamina continues to encourage MSMEs to grow according to the stages and needs of their businesses. Through the Pertamina BUMN Houses spread across 29 regions, we strive to provide assistance that not only improves competence but also helps open market access so that MSMEs become more independent, competitive, and capable of providing an economic impact for the surrounding community,” he said.
According to Baron, the Pertamina BUMN Houses in Aceh Tamiang and East Aceh have driven the increase in MSME capabilities in Aceh, a model that is also being applied in other Pertamina BUMN Houses.