PANGKALPINANG -- The celebration of PT TIMAH (Persero) Tbk’s 50th anniversary not only marks a milestone in the Company’s journey, but also provides an opportunity to strengthen its support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, PT TIMAH once again involved its partner MSMEs by purchasing 9,600 product packages from 18 MSMEs to be distributed as souvenirs to guests and event participants.
In addition to purchasing MSME products, PT TIMAH also provided its partner businesses with opportunities to market their products directly. Several booths were set up for MSMEs to showcase and sell their products to guests and members of the public attending the series of events celebrating PT TIMAH’s 50th anniversary, held under the theme “Tin for the People.”
This initiative represents one of PT TIMAH’s tangible efforts to support MSME development while helping stimulate the local economy. MSMEs play an important role in the national economy, including by creating jobs and strengthening economic activity within communities.
For MSME owners, participating in Company events also provides an opportunity to expand their market reach and introduce their products to a broader range of consumers.
One of the business owners benefiting from the initiative is Rini Erzaliana, owner of Keripik Primadona, located in Kampung Jawa Lama, Sungai Daeng Subdistrict, Mentok District, West Bangka Regency.
Rini is one of PT TIMAH’s partner MSMEs and produces a variety of snacks, including chips made from bananas, sweet potatoes, cassava, taro, potatoes, and breadfruit.
As part of PT TIMAH’s 50th anniversary celebration, products from her business were purchased by the Company to be distributed as souvenirs. PT TIMAH ordered 600 packages consisting of sweet and savory banana chips as well as akar kelapa, a traditional Indonesian snack.
“Thank God, I am very grateful to receive an order from PT TIMAH. We previously received an order for around 780 packages, and this time we received an order for 600 packages,” Rini said.
According to Rini, support through product purchases and opportunities to participate in various events has greatly helped MSMEs sustain their businesses, particularly when market conditions are not always stable.
She hopes PT TIMAH will continue to provide more opportunities for MSMEs to market their products and expand their business networks.
“I hope PT TIMAH will continue to support MSMEs and invite us to participate in more exhibitions. Hopefully, our products will become better known and promoted beyond the region in the future,” she said.
Similar support has also been experienced by Derry Yuliasta, owner of Keripik Tempe Az Ziqa, located in Singkep Air Ruay, Sungailiat, Bangka Regency. Derry has operated the tempeh chips business for nearly 10 years and currently markets the products in several areas, including Sungailiat, Pangkalpinang, Belinyu, and Jebus.
For PT TIMAH’s 50th anniversary, Az Ziqa received an order for 500 packages of tempeh chips. The order took approximately one week to complete and involved eight workers.
“We make the tempeh ourselves. The process is quite lengthy and takes about three days. When weather conditions are unfavorable, the fermentation process can take even longer,” Derry explained.
According to Derry, the collaboration with PT TIMAH has helped support the sustainability of the business while also creating opportunities for MSMEs to reach a broader market.
He hopes the collaboration will continue so that more local MSME products have opportunities to grow and develop.
“We have greatly benefited from this collaboration. Hopefully, our strong partnership with PT TIMAH will continue, and more MSMEs will have the opportunity to benefit as well,” he said.
The involvement of MSMEs in PT TIMAH’s 50th anniversary celebration demonstrates that the Company’s milestone celebration is also an opportunity to share its benefits with local communities. (*)
