PANGKALPINANG -- PT TIMAH (Persero) Tbk continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting the development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by sourcing local products to meet the company’s operational needs.
This initiative serves as a concrete effort by PT TIMAH to help business owners stay resilient amid economic challenges, especially in the post-Eid period. For example, during the company’s Halalbihalal event, PT TIMAH purchased thousands of MSME products.
Through its Micro and Small Business Funding Program (PUMK), PT TIMAH supports MSMEs across its operational areas, providing assistance ranging from capital funding, coaching, training, promotion, to marketing.
One of the MSME entrepreneurs who has benefited from this program is Yuliana, owner of the “Pak Umar” White Pepper business. She shared that she received an order of hundreds of white pepper packages from PT TIMAH.
This order has brought fresh momentum amid declining sales after Eid.
“Alhamdulillah, it has been very helpful, especially since sales tend to slow down after Eid. With this order, we can keep our cash flow moving,” said Yuliana.
She explained that MSME entrepreneurs are currently facing challenges due to rising raw material and packaging costs. Plastic prices have increased significantly, along with other materials. However, consumer purchasing power has not fully recovered, making it difficult for businesses to raise selling prices.
To fulfill the order, Yuliana needed about one week, from sourcing raw materials to the packaging process.
In addition to white pepper products, PT TIMAH also sourced various other MSME products, such as processed seafood, a variety of snacks, and homemade goods.
Novika, another MSME partner who received an order from PT TIMAH, said that an order of 500 product packages significantly increased her revenue.
“This is the first time we’ve received an order this large. It really helps boost our revenue, especially since we produce everything from home,” she said.
A similar sentiment was expressed by Zulaikha, another MSME entrepreneur who received an order. She stated that the order from PT TIMAH was very beneficial.
“Alhamdulillah, it has been very helpful. We needed about three days to prepare the production. This order means a lot to MSMEs like us,” she said.
This empowerment program is considered to have increased production capacity and created job opportunities.
MSME entrepreneurs hope that this kind of support will continue, both through increased frequency of company activities and the organization of MSME bazaars. (*)
