EAST BELITUNG -- The excitement of PT Timah's Health Week, held to commemorate the company’s 49th anniversary on Belitung Island, became even more festive with the UMKM Bazaar held on Sunday (July 27, 2025) at Nyiur Melambai Beach, Lalang Village, Manggar District, East Belitung Regency.
The bazaar featured 34 local micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM), providing them a chance to promote their products to the public. They showcased a variety of top-selling items, from food and beverages to unique East Belitung handicrafts.
As part of PT Timah’s 49th Anniversary series themed 'For the Red and White', the Health Week activities have become highly anticipated by the local community.
It was no surprise that the UMKM Bazaar became one of the most visited areas. Despite the scorching sun and heat, the bazaar drew crowds who shopped while sampling the wide range of products on offer.
In addition to enjoying food and beverages at the bazaar, many visitors also made large purchases to take home, including phone accessories, keychains, brooches, and signature food items for home consumption.
For Sri Purwanti (38), a resident of Simpang Empat Village in Manggar and one of the UMKM participants, PT Timah’s 49th Anniversary celebration provided a valuable opportunity to boost sales and introduce new products she makes herself.
“We’re happy PT Timah invited us to join this UMKM bazaar at the walkathon event. Events like this help us increase our sales up to three times,” she said.
At the bazaar, Sri Purwanti—well known by her nickname “Mak Mok”—sold a variety of homemade products, including fish cakes (otak-otak), crispy fish skin (empek-empek kulit), breadfruit chips, and jumbo-sized risoles.
She expressed her gratitude and hopes to PT Timah for organizing an event that includes small businesses.
“This is our second year joining the anniversary bazaar. Thank you so much to PT Timah. Even though the economy is tough right now, alhamdulillah, blessings still come. We hope PT Timah can take us along to out-of-town events so we can gain more experience and insight to grow. Events like these help us increase our sales,” she shared.
She also prayed for PT Timah’s continued success and hoped the company would keep supporting local businesses.
“May PT Timah continue to thrive and succeed, so it can keep supporting UMKM like us. We were struggling, but with PT Timah’s support, we’re getting back on our feet,” she said.
Putrawan Frisandi (18), a resident of Padang Village and another bazaar participant, shared the same hope. He produces traditional herbal drinks and represented his mother at the event.
“Being part of PT Timah’s events adds to my experience. Today I’m filling in for my mom because she had another job. I usually accompany her to events like this, but today I’m selling the herbal drinks and honey by myself,” he said.
Though his family has participated in several PT Timah events before, Putra hopes the company will continue hosting more UMKM bazaars, as these events provide a significant sales boost.
“Happy 49th anniversary to PT Timah! Wishing the company continued success and smooth operations, so it can keep organizing more bazaars. Events like these attract lots of visitors, and our sales increase significantly,” he added.
PT Timah continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting economic empowerment for communities in its operational areas through UMKM bazaars held as part of its 49th-anniversary celebration.
