To develop business opportunities in the creative economy sector, PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (Pupuk Kaltim) held training in skills and crafts from coconut shells for the community around the company, especially Loktuan Bontang Utara Village. The training in collaboration with the BPPI Craft and Batik Center of the Ministry of Industry, lasted for four days on 10-14 October 2022. Director of Operations and Production of Pupuk Kaltim Hanggara Patrianta, said the activity which was attended by 20 participants was an effort to strengthen the capacity of the Loktuan Village community and create new economic opportunities through their skills. This is in line with the Regulation of the Minister of SOEs regarding the environmental pillars of the Social and Environmental Responsibility program, especially related to the management of natural resources and the environment in a sustainable manner. "From this training, the community can have the skills to process coconut shell waste into economically valuable crafts, as an opportunity for income sources through creative power by utilizing simple materials," said Hanggara, when opening the training Monday (10/10/2022).
This training was initiated to see the huge potential of coconut shell crafts, with enthusiasts and a fairly high selling price. Previously, coconut shell waste was only used as cooking fuel and brick making, now it can be transformed into a highly sought-after handicraft. SMEs can also develop and encourage prosperity. On that occasion, a memorandum of understanding was also signed for the development of Handicraft and Batik Small and Medium Industries (IKM) in the fostered areas of Pupuk Kaltim, with the BPPI Center for Crafts and Batik of the Ministry of Industry. This was followed by the submission of the National Batik Certificate (Batiknas) to two local batik businesses assisted by Pupuk Kaltim, namely Batik Beras Basah and Kuntul Perak. He said that the program initiated by Pupuk Kaltim had a positive impact on the development of local MSMEs to be more empowered, both through skills training and mentoring that continuously targets new opportunities in Bontang City. This also proves the company's commitment and role in supporting government programs for the community, so that independence and prosperity can be encouraged through the development of economic potential from the many targeted opportunities. Bustamin, one of the training participants, expressed his gratitude for being facilitated in this training, which was considered very useful in growing the creative power and skills of the community around the company to create new economic opportunities. He hopes that there will be a follow-up to Pupuk Kaltim's support, such as coaching and mentoring for the participants so that the handicraft business sector which they will later cultivate can grow and develop with much wider benefits for the people of Bontang.
