PETROKIMIA GRESIK SUPPORTS THE GROWTH OF MSMEs IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY THROUGH THE LONTAR RAMADAN BAZAAR

Petrokimia Gresik, an Agroindustrial Solutions company and a member of the Pupuk Indonesia holding company, once again held the "LONTAR (Snack Group) Ramadan Bazaar for Local Communities" as a form of company support for the growth of local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The event was recently opened by Petrokimia Gresik's Vice President (VP) of Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL), Kadek Ardhika Widya Kresna, representing the Board of Directors.

"We are capitalizing on the local tradition of hunting for takjil (snacks) during Ramadan. We are facilitating women who run snack businesses near the company to increase their income. This bazaar will be held in the courtyard of Petrokimia Gresik's Head Office for two days. Thousands of employees and members of the public are ready to hunt for takjil at this bazaar," said Petrokimia Gresik's President Director, Daconi Khotob, separately.

The LONTAR Ramadan Bazaar has been an annual event held by Petrokimia Gresik since 2023. All booths at the bazaar are from companies fostered by LONTAR, a group of MSMEs specializing in culinary and snack-making services for the local community.

"Thank God, their sales in this annual bazaar program continue to increase. This activity brings blessings and smiles to the participating MSMEs. Especially now, as we approach Eid al-Fitr, they are happy because their income has increased through their participation in the bazaar," he concluded.

Daconi also hopes that LONTAR will continue to develop into a competitive business group and become a platform for economic development for residents around the company. In addition to opening marketing opportunities for MSMEs, the bazaar also provides a space for interaction between the community, village/sub-district governments, and company personnel.

The LONTAR program, he explained, was born from Petrokimia Gresik's dry and wet cake-making training, which featured competent presenters. From this training, women representatives from seven sub-districts and one village began forming small business groups that later developed into LONTAR. These groups are from the sub-districts of Kroman, Karangturi, Karangpoh, Lumpur, Tlogopojok, Ngipik, Sukorame, and Roomo Village.

"We hope that LONTAR will continue to grow and that more people will benefit from this program. With a spirit of togetherness and support from various parties, God willing, we can realize a stronger and more competitive people's economy," concluded Daconi.