EAST BELITUNG - PT Timah Tbk is encouraging Belitung Island MSMEs to upgrade through the PT Timah Tbk Micro and Small Business Funding (PUMK) program.
The benefits of PT Timah Tbk's PUMK program have been felt by one of PT TimahTbk's partners, Lisnawati, who runs a snack business with mackerel pilus and squid egg pilus under the brand "Ibu Lisna".
Lisna produces various snacks that are characteristic of Belitung Island. She produces these snacks at the production house on Jalan Madura, RT 07 RW 04 Padang Village, Manggar, East Belitung Regency.
She said that she started pioneering the manufacture of pilus a long time ago, even in 2005 she already had permits such as PIRT and others.
Previously, there were no brands, labels, or permits so they were only left in grocery stores because they couldn't enter mini markets in Belitung.
"Well, in 2005 it was only there, and before that, there were many other products, but what survived were these two types of seafood products," she said.
According to Lisna, pilus products were very rare in Belitung from 2005 onwards, so she tried to market her products to souvenir shops in Belitung.
"Thank God the results can help our family's economy, even though he was the only one who made it," she explained.
Lisna does not deny that during this business journey, many problems and obstacles have come, but thanks to her determination and perseverance, she has been able to survive until now.
"Thank God, customers are currently busy and sometimes there are not enough, even though we produce every day," she said.
So, currently, the products are on the market on Belitung Island, even during the Eid season some are brought to Bangka Island by one of the "suppliers".
"During the Eid season, I usually get help from other people in producing this pilus and also from people at home too," she explained.
Currently, every time they produce their products they always run out and there is no stock at home.
Therefore, in 2022 he will become a partner of PT Timah Tbk, to develop their business in terms of capital. And used to add tools and materials to maintain product stock availability.
"Capital from PT Timah Tbk is used to add tools and raw materials so that the product is still available if someone wants to buy it. This is very helpful because I added tools too," She said.
She realized that she was not very digitally literate, so she did not take advantage of online marketing opportunities.
"So I maximize direct sales on Belitung Island, both in souvenir shops and mini markets in Belitung," she said.
