Erick Thohir Targets 10,000 Pertashops In 7,196 Subdistricts Throughout Indonesia To Create Jobs

Minister of SOEs, Erick Thohir. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - SOE Minister Erick Thohir revealed that the target of 10,000 Pertashop units will create jobs and improve the people's economy.

The target of 10,000 Pertashop units will have a significant impact on energy sustainability in the region as well as employment, especially by medium and regional entrepreneurs.

"With these 10,000 Pertashops, each of them will create jobs and it is hoped that it can improve the people's economy. In the future, we will prioritize attracting regional entrepreneurs to achieve this target," Erick said in a written statement, quoted from Antara, Monday, February 7.

The Minister of SOEs also added that currently Indonesia is still in a state of the COVID-19 pandemic, health is affected as well as the economy.

"I have given directions to all SOEs, even though they are corporations, but they must participate in balancing partiality with the people. One of them is through Pertashop Pertamina, we want to build a balanced economy," said Erick.

Pertamina through Sub Holding Commercial & Trading, namely Pertamina Patra Niaga, continues to open and encourage Pertashop business partnership cooperation opportunities with various parties including BUMDes, Cooperatives, Islamic Boarding Schools to business actors or MSMEs throughout Indonesia.

Through Pertashop, Pertamina is expected to continue to contribute to the growth and development of the country's economy, as well as encourage the economic empowerment of rural communities.

As an effort to encourage the spirit of Pertashop partners to achieve the best performance, Pertamina Patra Niaga awards the best Pertashop entrepreneurs, including Non-Partner Local MSMEs, the best sales figures and the best Sarfas.

The award was handed over directly by SOE Minister Erick Thohir accompanied by Pertamina Patra Niaga President Director Alfian Nasution in Madiun on Sunday 6 February during the National Socialization of the Pertashop Implementation Acceleration Program through the Collaboration of BUMN - BUMDes and other Business Entities for Indonesia, Tangguh Indonesia Grows.

President Director of Pertamina Patra Niaga Alfian Nasution said that Pertashop is part of Pertamina One Village One Outlet (OVOO), where Pertamina wants to distribute energy that reaches wider and more evenly.

"Pertamina continues to strive to present 10,000 Pertashops in 7,196 Districts throughout Indonesia, and the presence of Pertashops is expected to facilitate energy accessibility for the community, as well as drive the economy in the village, so that people can immediately feel Pertamina's presence. This is a form of fulfilling the Availability, Acceptability, Affordability, and Accessibility of Energy," said Alfian.

From 2020 to January 2022, around 4,311 Pertashops have been operating throughout Indonesia, 473 of them are in East Java Province and 16 are in the city or district of Madiun. Of this total, 249 Pertashops are also managed by strategic partners, 54 of which or 22 percent are managed by BUMDes.

However, the challenges in implementing Pertashop development in all corners of the country are very heavy if only done by one party. Therefore, assistance, support, and cooperation from various parties are needed, including through community empowerment at the village level.

Alfian hopes that Pertashop can develop a joint business with the village community to increase the economic value of community competitiveness, community productivity while bringing services closer to meeting the needs of fuel oil in the village.

"Pertashop will be present as a driving force for the village economy that can encourage national economic growth and educate people to use environmentally friendly fuel. Even 12 percent of the total consumption of Pertamax as an environmentally friendly fuel is channeled through Pertashop," said Alfian.