Attracting The Korean Association, Kemenkop UKM Successfully Encourages SME Partnerships Through The ODA Project

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs (Kemenkop UKM) together with the INNOBIZ Association of Korea have succeeded in producing 10 selected SMEs to take part in the Capacity Building for Indonesia Green Transition in South Korea, on 27 November- 1 December 2023, through the Official Development Assistance (ODA) Project program.

Head of the Legal and Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, Hendra Saragih, said that out of 10 selected SMEs, one SME has succeeded in carrying out partnerships.

The SMEs, namely PT Comestora Bentarra Noesantara, are running a business in the field of organic waste processing and biomass residue into dense renewable fuel (RDF/SRF pellets).

The company is collaborating with HS Solar Energy in the development of electric vehicle charging stations, particularly electric motors, using hybrid technology between gasification, solar panels, and batteries.

With gasification technology, it will convert RDF/SRF pellets as a substitution of 100 percent of fuel oil in electric generators that will be combined with energy from solar panels. This energy will be stored in batteries for battery swaps and charging directly for electric vehicles.

"This is part of the concrete benefits obtained by SMEs through the ODA Program as part of efforts to accelerate the transformation of the green business for SMEs through partnerships," said Hendra in his official statement, Friday, December 8.

He also hopes that other selected SMEs can have the same opportunities as PT Comestora Noesantara. In addition, the government and the ASEM SME Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC) will also encourage the realization of other collaborations.

"In addition, we will also continue to collaborate with ASEIC to continue to encourage the realization of real collaboration between Korean SMEs and Indonesian SMEs," said Hendra.

Meanwhile, the Director of PT Comestora Bentarra Noesantara, Arif Nurhidayat said that his party had contributed to the cofiring program at the PLTU. This collaboration will allow them to contribute to the dediselization program launched by the government at the G20.

"This electric vehicle charging station will be developed and implemented communally. This is in accordance with the commutative law of the 1000x1=1x1000 algebra. The goal is that the problem of communal-scale waste can be resolved, used as RDF/SRF pellets, initiated and produces energy combined with solar panels and batteries," he said.

In addition, with the electric vehicle charging station, Arif believes that he can develop an electric vehicle ecosystem as well as contribute to net zero emissions and energy transitions.

Furthermore, the Kemenkop UKM, Bappenas, and the Ministry of Industry will monitor the implementation of the cooperation that has been carried out in accordance with their duties and functions. And they will also encourage nine other SMEs, both those who are exploring cooperation and the funding application process provided by the Korean Government.

The ODA Project is an assistance program from the Government of Korea to partner countries that includes grants, funding assistance, and technical cooperation aimed at economic development and social welfare in developing countries.