BANGKA -- PT TIMAH Tbk not only supports the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through assistance and business mentoring, but also provides opportunities for its fostered partners to share their knowledge, experience, and skills with the wider community.
This initiative is part of PT TIMAH’s commitment to developing independent and competitive MSMEs while inspiring other entrepreneurs to grow and succeed.
Recently, PT TIMAH organized a Seafood Processing Training program at the Fishermen's Flats (Rusunawa) in Neighborhood II, Sungailiat, Bangka Regency, on Tuesday (June 23, 2026).
For this program, PT TIMAH invited one of its fostered partners, Getas Afifah, to serve as the resource person, sharing practical knowledge and hands-on techniques for processing seafood into value-added products such as ampiang and kericu.
The training was attended by residents of the Neighborhood II Fishermen's Flats, members of the Sungailiat Family Welfare Movement (PKK), and communities from Fishermen's Neighborhoods I and II. By involving a successful fostered partner as the trainer, participants gained not only theoretical knowledge but also practical insights from an MSME owner who has successfully grown their business.
Getas Afifah has been a PT TIMAH fostered partner since 2018. Over the past eight years under the company's development program, the business has continued to grow and is now recognized as one of the leading seafood processing MSMEs in Kurau Village, Central Bangka Regency.
One of Getas Afifah's managers, Dina Maria, explained that Kurau Village has tremendous potential as a fisheries center, creating significant opportunities for seafood processing businesses.
However, she noted that one of the main challenges faced by the business is the availability of raw materials. During certain periods, they must source fish from other regions, such as South Bangka Regency, to maintain production.
"Since becoming a PT TIMAH fostered partner, we have received production equipment assistance from the company. This support has significantly increased our production capacity, allowing our business revenue to continue growing," Dina said.
She added that Getas Afifah's production capacity has increased dramatically, from approximately one kilogram per day to nearly 300 kilograms per day.
Dina expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to serve as a trainer during the PT TIMAH-sponsored program. She said the experience allowed her to share her journey while encouraging community members to transform local seafood resources into products with greater economic value.
"Most MSMEs in Kurau Village produce similar products. What distinguishes each business is its processing techniques and unique flavors. That's why I'm happy to share my experience with the participants, so they can also develop their own businesses," she said.
Involving fostered partners as trainers is one of PT TIMAH's strategies for strengthening the MSME empowerment ecosystem. The company not only helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses but also encourages them to become mentors and sources of inspiration for others, allowing the benefits of its development programs to reach a wider community.
Previously, PT TIMAH implemented a similar approach through an ecoprint batik training program in Kundur, Karimun Regency. The company invited its fostered partner, Bella Kartika Aprilia, owner of Batik Sepiak, to introduce participants to the natural dyeing technique using leaves. Through hands-on practice, participants learned the entire ecoprint batik-making process and created their own finished works. (*)
