Furqanuddin Masulili, Deputy Regent of Banggai, announced that the coconut shell charcoal from Bumdes Abadi Uling, a village enterprise in Uling Village, Kintom District, has successfully entered the global market with its first export of 26 tons to Sweden. "This achievement is a source of pride for us. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Bumdes Abadi Uling and the tireless work of the coconut farmers, which has led to this tangible success," Furqanuddin stated in Banggai, Central Sulawesi, on Monday. Bumdes Abadi Uling, established in 2014, initially operated in services such as tent rental and catering but faced challenges and ceased operations. With a IDR 500 million (approximately USD 33,500) grant from the Banggai Regency government under the Bumdes MAIMA program (Progressive, Trustworthy, Innovative, Independent, and Leading), the enterprise was revitalized and rebranded as Bumdes Abadi Uling by the end of 2023.

The village, with a coconut plantation spanning 158 hectares, produces up to 1,200 tons of coconuts annually. This prompted Bumdes Abadi Uling to focus on trading coconut shell charcoal. The success of exporting charcoal to Sweden was supported by ESSA through its subsidiary PT Panca Amara Utama (PAU), which helped develop the marketing network. Muhamad Asnawi Sabil, Director of Promotion and Marketing of Superior Products at the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration, noted that Bumdes Abadi Uling should serve as a model for other village enterprises. “We will seek further corporate involvement to expand the benefits of the coconut shell charcoal business to the wider community in Banggai, not just Uling Village,” Asnawi said.

Source: https://kalbar.antaranews.com/berita/589575/arang-batok-kelapa-bumdes-desa-uling-tembus-pasar-global