Governor of the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, Sugito, stated that the local coffee industry in East Belitung Regency has played a significant role in driving economic growth in the area. "The local coffee industry in this region has been developing for some time and has a great potential to improve the economy," he said during the opening of the Coffee Shop Festival at Warkop Milenium in Manggar on Saturday. He explained that the festival, organized by the East Belitung local government, is part of the 24th anniversary celebrations of the Bangka Belitung Province, with the focus on East Belitung, also known as the "Land of a Thousand Coffee Shops." Through this festival, Sugito expressed hope that it would support local coffee farmers, coffee shop owners, and small businesses (UMKM).
Sugito emphasized the important role of coffee shops in supporting small and medium enterprises (UMKM). He pointed out that many young entrepreneurs, particularly in East Belitung, have become interested in opening coffee shops as new businesses, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, which encouraged people to shift toward the UMKM sector. He added that the presence of coffee shops, not only in East Belitung but also across other districts in the province, has contributed to the creation of new job opportunities. "Coffee shops also play an essential role in supporting the growth of UMKM and the local economy as a whole. Amid global economic challenges, coffee shops have become one of the solutions to boost the local economy," Sugito remarked. Furthermore, he noted that the coffee-drinking culture in East Belitung has existed for nearly a century and has become an integral part of the local social fabric. The active barista community in the region also plays a significant role by providing training to young people to enhance their skills in coffee preparation. According to Sugito, these training programs not only improve the quality of service in coffee shops but also inspire entrepreneurial spirit among the youth, contributing to the region's economic growth. "I certainly appreciate this activity as a promotional tool for local businesses and coffee shop development," he added.
