TANJUNG BERLIAN -- Running a business is not as easy and beautiful as you think, there are many twists and turns and challenges to face. This is what Abarusin, one of PT Timah's fostered partners, expressed.
Abarusin runs a food canteen business located at Tanjung Berlian Harbor, Tanjung Berlian Kota Village, North Kundur District. He provides various foods for passengers and officers at the port.
He has been running this business for seven years, and over time it continues to grow with the support of PT Timah's Micro and Small Business Funding Program (PUMK).
According to Abarusin, in the past, Plabuhan Tanjung Berlian was not as big and busy as it is now. But now this port is developing rapidly.
"Previously, the place where I sold with my wife was just a small table on the side of the road to the port. Thank God, now it has become more developed," he said some time ago.
As the port becomes more developed, the number of passengers increases and the number of customers also increase. Abarusin felt confused about finding capital to develop his business, even though the opportunity was right before his eyes.
"We want to take advantage of the opportunity for progress at this port to develop this canteen business, but it requires quite a bit of capital and that is our obstacle," he said.
To get additional capital, Abarusin continues to look for information about capital loans that do not burden him.
"After learning about the PUMK program at PT Timah, I took the courage to visit the PT Timah office in the Kundur area to confirm this information carefully," he said.
He was grateful that after receiving the information and fulfilling the requirements, his application to obtain a capital loan from PT Timah could be approved.
"Thank God, my request was accepted. I used the capital to add equipment such as tables, chairs, and other things so that customers feel at home and comfortable. So it will attract other customers to come just to drink coffee and eat," he said.
He is grateful that after his equipment has increased, his business has progressed and there are more customers.
"Alhamdulillah, my business is also growing because customers feel comfortable sitting and drinking coffee while waiting for the ship to depart," he said.
According to Abarusin, the PUMK program from PT Timah is very good and helps MSMEs because of the many conveniences and relief.
"Hopefully with the PUMK Program from PT Timah, the community and small business actors in North Kundur District will also be able to develop and compete," he said. (*)
