Jakarta, March 17, 2025 – PT HM Sampoerna Tbk. (Sampoerna), in collaboration with CNN Indonesia, held The Big Idea Forum with the theme “National Economic Heroes: The Power of MSMEs to Drive 8% Economic Growth.” Attended by 1,000 MSMEs fostered by Sampoerna, the event emphasized the important role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in driving Indonesia’s economy. Various MSME empowerment strategies were discussed, highlighting the role of MSMEs as the main catalysts of national economic growth and the importance of multi-sector collaboration in achieving the 8% economic growth target.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Philip Morris International (PMI), Jacek Olczak, stated that Indonesia plays a central role in PMI’s global supply chain and is one of PMI’s main destinations for long-term investment and sustainable innovation. Since 2005, PMI has invested over USD 6.4 billion to support Sampoerna’s operations in Indonesia, including partnerships with more than 22,000 tobacco and clove farmers, employing over 90,000 direct and indirect workers, engaging with more than 1.5 million retailers across Indonesia, and fostering over 347,000 MSMEs in the country.
“Sampoerna has been an integral part of PMI, where I have witnessed Sampoerna’s extraordinary ability to run business activities in alignment with the targets and goals of the Indonesian Government, particularly in long-term investment and promoting innovation based on domestic industry ecosystems and downstream development,” said Jacek in his speech at the Grand Ballroom, Ritz Carlton Pacific Place Hotel.
PMI’s commitment to innovation has placed it at the forefront of industrial advancements while positively impacting the economy. Currently, PMI operates 16 smoke-free tobacco products manufacturing facilities worldwide, including in Indonesia. PMI’s investment in smoke-free tobacco products in Indonesia amounts to USD 330 million, including a facility in Karawang, West Java, aimed at export markets in the Asia-Pacific region and domestic markets. Within this factory, PMI also has a world-class research and development laboratory managed by 200 Indonesian experts.
“This investment is vote of PMI’s confidence in Indonesia. I also appreciate the Indonesian Government’s consistent efforts in creating a conducive investment climate for businesses and promoting economic stability that ensures the welfare of the people. This is what encourages us to participate in supporting the Government in developing Indonesian MSMEs. Today, I am very proud to be among 1,000 SRC and SETC members representing 347,000 MSMEs fostered by Sampoerna,” he explained.
The Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Airlangga Hartarto, highly appreciated PMI’s investment in Indonesia and Sampoerna’s support for MSMEs across the country. According to him, Indonesia’s domestic economy has shown remarkable resilience. Airlangga specifically praised the rapid growth of SRC, which has now surpassed the number of modern retailers in the country, with a significant increase in revenue.
“A few years ago, the number of SRCs was smaller than modern retail stores. However, today, modern retail stores number around 80,000, while SRCs have reached 250,000. In terms of revenue, modern retail stores are higher, exceeding IDR 330 trillion, but SRCs are catching up with revenue already reaching IDR 236 trillion (annually),” he stated.
Airlangga added that digitalized MSMEs like SRC have shown better results. SRC has adopted QRIS for cashless transactions and can access People’s Business Credit (KUR) facilities through cooperation with Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI). The government has allocated IDR 300 trillion for KUR, with the trade sector as one of the primary focuses. SRC and its production partners can leverage the KUR facility to expand their businesses.
“Especially KUR in the trade sector, which includes SRC. We want to encourage SRC production partners to grow further. Additionally, the SETC’s collaboration with the Pre-Employment Card program will train more MSME entrepreneurs in Indonesia. Therefore, the government appreciates SRC and SETC for assisting hundreds of thousands of MSMEs nationwide,” he added.
As the highlight of The Big Idea Forum, Sampoerna, through PT SRC Indonesia Sembilan, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with several state-owned enterprises, including Perusahaan Umum BULOG, PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk., PT Pos Indonesia (Persero), and PT Telekomunikasi Selular (Telkomsel). This MoU reinforces Sampoerna’s commitment to supporting government programs, particularly in helping MSME entrepreneurs grow. This collaboration is expected to create positive impacts and multiplier effects beneficial to the wider community.
Sampoerna’s President Director, Ivan Cahyadi, stated that the MoU signing with four strategic partners is tangible proof of Sampoerna’s commitment to advancing and growing together with Indonesia. “To achieve greater goals, collaboration with various stakeholders is key. The synergy between the government, state-owned enterprises, and the private sector not only creates efficiency but also ensures the effectiveness of government programs while empowering MSMEs,” he said.
This collaboration demonstrates the strength of SRC’s network as a strategic partner for various businesses, thanks to its extensive reach across Indonesia and support for digitalization. Through these efforts, SRC is becoming increasingly strategic in promoting MSME development, even at the most basic retail level.
At the event, Sampoerna and CNN Indonesia hosted a panel discussion titled “Optimizing MSMEs: The Key to Indonesia’s Economic Growth,” featuring Indonesia’s Minister of MSMEs, Maman Abdurrahman, Minister of Trade, Budi Santoso, as well as representatives from Perusahaan Umum BULOG and Bank Rakyat Indonesia. This discussion aimed to explore strategies and best practices for empowering MSMEs through multi-stakeholder collaboration, focusing on innovation and sustainable investment to strengthen the people’s economy and improve Indonesia’s overall welfare.
Ivan concluded the event by stating, “MSME entrepreneurs are the true national economic heroes. They are a real example of the spirit of mutual cooperation and national independence. We thank the MSME entrepreneurs who have partnered with Sampoerna to grow, develop, and advance together with Indonesia. May the collaboration established today further accelerate MSME empowerment and create tangible contributions toward achieving the national economic growth target of 8%.”
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About PT HM Sampoerna Tbk. (Sampoerna)
Founded in 1913, Sampoerna – an affiliate of Philip Morris International Inc. – is a leading tobacco company in Indonesia. The Company’s business activities include manufacturing and trading cigarettes, smoke-free tobacco products, and nicotine-containing products. Sampoerna produces several well-known kretek brands such as Sampoerna A, the legendary “King of Kretek” Dji Sam Soe, and Sampoerna Kretek. Sampoerna also distributes Marlboro brand cigarettes across Indonesia through a long-term distribution agreement with PT Philip Morris Indonesia.
Since its acquisition by Philip Morris International (PMI) in 2005, Sampoerna’s investment value has reached over USD 6.4 billion. Currently, Sampoerna operates nine production facilities in Surabaya, Pasuruan, Probolinggo, Malang, Karawang, Blitar, and Tegal, including a manufacturing facility for smoke-free tobacco products focusing on exports to the Asia-Pacific region and domestic markets. Sampoerna also partners with 43 Cigarette Manufacturing Partners across Java, employing – directly and indirectly – over 90,000 workers, mostly in Hand-Rolled Kretek Cigarette production. Sampoerna distributes its products through 109 sales and regional distribution offices across Indonesia.
Under the Sampoerna untuk Indonesia Sustainability Program, Sampoerna is committed to developing MSMEs through the Sampoerna Retail Community (SRC) and Sampoerna Entrepreneurship Training Center (SETC). Currently, SRC empowers over 250,000 grocery stores nationwide, with an economic impact reaching IDR 236 trillion per year, equivalent to 11.4% of the 2022 National Retail GDP. Meanwhile, SETC has trained more than 97,000 MSME entrepreneurs across Indonesia.
Sampoerna is a publicly traded company on the Indonesia Stock Exchange under the stock code “HMSP.”
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Media Contact:
Micko Rustantra
Head of Corporate Communications
PT HM Sampoerna Tbk.
Email: contact@sampoerna.com