Exports of dried ketapang leaves, dried mangosteen leaves, dried dadap leaves, and Getas snacks from the Bangka Belitung Islands Province have remained consistent throughout 2024. Pangkalpinang Customs has also shown its commitment to supporting the export of leading products from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Bangka Belitung. Through collaboration with various ministries and agencies, Customs not only facilitates exports but also actively empowers MSMEs to access international markets.
Mochammad Munif, the Head of Pangkalpinang Customs Office, revealed that throughout 2024, the office has closely monitored the export of several MSME products, including Getas snacks, a traditional snack from Bangka that has been exported since 2020. Other notable exports include dried leaves such as ketapang, dadap, and mangosteen leaves, which began to be marketed overseas in 2022. Munif explained that Getas is consistently exported to Singapore, while dried leaves processed by PT Central Charcoal Babelindo (PT CCB) have been shipped 11 times since September 2022 to countries like Japan, the United States, Germany, Turkey, Singapore, and the UK. The dried ketapang leaves, in particular, are in demand for their use in regulating aquarium water pH, which has increased their popularity in international markets. With strong support from various parties, including the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, the Cooperatives and MSME Department of Bangka Belitung Province, and Pangkalpinang Post Office, PT CCB is set to export dried leaves to the U.S. again in December 2024.
