WEST BANGKA -- Visiting West Bangka, it's incomplete if you don't taste Pempek Prawn, which is a regional specialty. One of them is Pempek Ak Leho.
Pempek Ak Leho, which is known to local people to guests from outside the area, has a delicious taste and is made from fresh raw materials. Pempek Ak Leho, which is located at Kampung Tengah, Hamlet 2, Belo Laut Village, Muntok District, West Bangka Regency, has been highly sought after by consumers.
The confectionery is made from raw materials of shrimp, sago, salt, and flavoring, which is produced by the Belo Laut Bersama TKM group, chaired by Nurmaya.
Nurmaya (38) said that her desire to start Pempek's business started with easy-to-find raw materials. In addition, foods made from fish and other seafood are popular with the public.
Seeing this opportunity, the fostered partner of PT Timah Tbk continues to produce shrimp pempek. It is not surprising that the business this group is engaged in is growing.
"First, the reason for pursuing this business is because raw materials are easily available here, such as shrimp and fish. In addition, people's interest in enjoying snacks from the sea will not disappear, even food from the sea is always sought after by people," she explained.
However, Maya said the problem for MSME actors here is capital, as experienced by herself and her colleagues.
"Luckily we joined PT Timah's fostered partner, with the loan provided by PT Timah we continue to develop our business and are able to produce according to consumer demand.
In fact, customers continue to grow, not only locally, customers outside the island of Bangka, and have been brought to Japan for souvenirs," explained Maya.
Maya and her colleagues formed the Group to better meet consumer demands and satisfy customers. In addition, they also empower women's groups in their area.
"If we produce more and more quickly, the customer will automatically be happy. Thus, if the customer is satisfied in terms of taste, fast and according to his wishes, they will definitely continue to order from us," she said.
She said that the demand for pempek Ak Leho is at most during the week because many are used as souvenirs and also for personal consumption.
According to Nurmaya, by becoming a foster partner of PT Timah Tbk, they can further develop their business, thereby increasing family income.
"We, the Belo Laut Bersama TKM group, would like to thank PT Timah, because the Pempek Ak Leho Business Development Partner program has developed and has become one of the additional sources of the family's economy," she said.
