Semarang, Central Java, June 11, 2025 - PT HM Sampoerna Tbk. (Sampoerna), in collaboration with the National Solidarity Movement (GSN), the Central Java Provincial Government, and the Imajinasi Penaja Mula Association (Impala), successfully held the grand finale or Awarding Night of the Women Ecosystem Catalyst (WEC) Season 2 program. This initiative is part of the “Sampoerna for Indonesia” Sustainability Program, focusing on empowering women entrepreneurs in the MSME sector in Central Java.
WEC Season 2 attracted over 1,000 women entrepreneurs. Through intensive training, mentoring, and networking opportunities, the program was designed to address real challenges faced by women-led MSMEs, such as limited market access, technology use, funding, and business capacity development. This initiative aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s vision of encouraging active female participation in achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
The grand finale, held at The Legacy Hall in Semarang, honored the top 20 participants who completed the full training series. Six outstanding MSMEs received awards directly from Mr. Bobby Gafur Umar, Secretary General of GSN, representing the Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Chairman of the Investment Coordinating Board of the Republic of Indonesia and GSN Chairman, Rosan Roeslani, as well as Mr. Sumarno, Regional Secretary of Central Java Province, representing Governor Ahmad Luthfi.
Romulus Sutanto, Head of External Affairs at Sampoerna, emphasized the crucial role of MSMEs in strengthening national economic growth and resilience. He expressed hope that the WEC Season 2 training would accelerate participants' readiness to become resilient and competitive economic drivers.
“Sampoerna strives to actively contribute to achieving national economic independence, one of which is through empowering MSMEs. This program is specifically designed for women entrepreneurs because they play a vital and strategic role in strengthening the people's economy. As a company that also started as an MSME, we are proud to continue contributing to building an inclusive and competitive business ecosystem, aligned with the government’s vision for a strong and sustainable national economy,” said Romulus.
In a video message, Mr. Rosan Roeslani, Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Chairman of the Investment Coordinating Board and GSN Chairman, stated that the WEC Season 2 program aligns with GSN’s mission to promote prosperity and welfare through strengthening the people’s economy.
“Amid global challenges, women’s participation in business, especially MSMEs, is a real force we must support. Currently, women manage over 64 percent of MSMEs in Indonesia, contributing 61 percent to GDP. They are remarkable women driving the nation’s economy. This program has impacted more than 2,000 women entrepreneurs who have participated in training, mentoring, and networking since last year,” said Rosan.
Rosan also expressed appreciation to all parties involved in organizing WEC Season 2. “We appreciate PT HM Sampoerna Tbk., the Impala Association, and the Central Java Provincial Government for initiating the Women Ecosystem Catalyst (WEC) Season 2 program, which this year also involved the National Solidarity Movement which was initiated by President Prabowo Subianto. Such collaboration is crucial in promoting inclusive economic growth, especially for women entrepreneurs,” Rosan concluded.
Mr. Bobby Gafur Umar, Secretary General of GSN, highlighted the strategic role of MSMEs in achieving Indonesia’s national economic targets and improving public welfare. The resilience and sustainability of MSMEs are key to a strong Indonesian economy.
“MSMEs are the engine of our economy. They absorb 97% of our workforce. So, when MSMEs economy move, our national economy also moves. President Prabowo has set a target for national economic growth to reach 8% in the next five years. This can be achieved in part through the support of women-led MSMEs,” said Bobby.
Bobby praised the impact of the WEC Season 2 program on MSMEs in Central Java and expressed GSN’s readiness to continue collaborating with Sampoerna to expand the economic impact to society.
“The Women Ecosystem Catalyst program in Central Java can serve as a model for other cities, where women-led MSMEs become significant economic contributors. We thank Sampoerna for this initiative. GSN is ready to collaborate further to amplify programs like this on a national scale,” Bobby concluded.
The grand finale was also attended by Mr. Sumarno, Regional Secretary of Central Java Province, who appreciated Sampoerna’s tangible efforts in supporting MSME development in the region. He hoped the training would continue and have a broader impact on entrepreneurs, communities, and the regional economy.
“Congratulations to the training participants and award winners. Hopefully, the women-led MSMEs in the WEC program can truly become business catalysts in Central Java, in line with the province’s long-term plan to be a hub for food and industry. This requires collaboration from all parties to ensure balanced growth and shared prosperity, ultimately improving the welfare of Central Java’s people,” said Sumarno.
Through sustainable programs like WEC, Sampoerna continues to strengthen its role as a strategic government partner in driving national economic growth. This initiative also reflects support for President Prabowo’s Asta Cita and the broader vision of a resilient and self-reliant Indonesia.
“As a company that has operated in Indonesia for over 111 years, we are committed to empowering MSMEs as the backbone of the national economy. Through various flagship programs, Sampoerna strengthens partnerships with stakeholders to support community and MSME empowerment for achieving national economic independence,” Romulus concluded.
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 (PMID).
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 Third-Party Operators (TPOs) across Java, employ a workforce of more than 90,000 people, both directly and indirectly, mostly in Hand-Rolled Kretek Cigarette production. Sampoerna distributes its products through 105 sales and regional distribution offices across Indonesia.
Under the “Sampoerna untuk Indonesia” Sustainability Umbrella 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 traditional retailers 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 participants across Indonesia.
Sampoerna is a publicly traded company on the Indonesia Stock Exchange under the ticker code “HMSP.”
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Media Contact:
Micko Rustantra
Head of Corporate Communications
PT HM Sampoerna Tbk.
Email: contact@sampoerna.com