BANGKA - PT Timah's initiative to present an MSME Center in Sungailiat Fisherman II Neighborhood, Bangka Regency has brought blessings to MSMEs.
Initially, MSMEs only sold their products in front of their houses, but with the UMKM Center initiated by PT Timah, it was easier for MSMEs to sell their products.
Not only that, the presence of MSME booths provided by PT Timah added to the attractiveness of buyers. Moreover, the Sungailiat Fisherman II area is one of the attractive tourist destinations.
This was told by Eka (25), an MSME player in the Fisherman II area, a woman who started a business since 2021, admitted that her turnover had increased after moving to Sentara UMKM.
Previously, Eka only sold her wares in front of her house, with limited customers who were residents around the neighborhood. However, after occupying the booth provided by PT Timah, her business is better known and attracts customers from outside the area.
“I am very happy that PT Timah can help the community here, especially MSMEs like us. Now the selling place is tidier, and people are more interested in coming,” she said, while attending the inauguration of the MSME Center on Wednesday (26/2/2025).
Eka said, usually this area is crowded with residents in the afternoon, apart from local residents, it is not uncommon for many tourists who come from wild areas to enjoy the beauty of the beach.
Eka sells various specialties such as lontong, Bugis green banana, empek-empek, bakwan, ice cincau, and various other ice. Of all the items she sells, pisang ijo and tela-tela are the best-sellers.
With a more strategic location and better facilities, Eka can now sell every day with a wider range of potential customers. If her merchandise runs out before sunset, she can close early, but if there is still some left, she continues selling until night.
The MSME Center program initiated by PT TIMAH Tbk not only aims to help small businesses increase income and encourage local economic growth, but is also expected to create jobs, support the tourism sector, and strengthen competitiveness so as to create a more advanced, dynamic and sustainable business ecosystem. (*)
