BNPP RI Encourages Belu Tie-Dye Weaving SMEs to Level Up

Indonesia’s National Border Management Agency (BNPP), through its Assistant Deputy for Land Border Area Potential (Assistant Deputy PKPD), held a human resource capacity-building activity for micro-entrepreneurs in the tie-dye weaving sector in the Motaain State Border Crossing Post (PLBN) area, Belu Regency, Nusa Tenggara Timur Province, on Tuesday-Wednesday, 14-15 April 2026. This activity is part of BNPP RI’s commitment to strengthening human resources and SMEs at PLBN Motaain, reinforcing BNPP RI’s dedication to fostering economic independence among border communities through the empowerment of SMEs based on local potential. The training focused on enhancing technical skills and creativity among artisans to produce high-value-added and highly competitive tie-dye weaving products. Assistant Deputy PKPD BNPP RI, Brigadier General TNI Topri Daeng Balaw, representing Deputy for Border Area Potential Management Inspector General of Police Edfrie R. Maith, emphasised that this activity implements the mandate of the President of the Republic of Indonesia in the sixth Asta Cita, namely building from villages and from the bottom to promote economic equity and poverty alleviation. “We are organising this training to improve skills and encourage economic growth among communities in border areas. The hope is that their capabilities will increase, giving them superior expertise and making their products more valuable,” said Topri. He explained that the training materials covered natural dyeing techniques and thread sun-drying, development of distinctive Belu weaving motifs, and creation of derivative products such as wallets made from woven fabric. Through this strengthening, artisans are encouraged to improve fabric quality while developing product innovations like bags, wallets, and clothing. BNPP RI also ensures ongoing mentoring up to the marketing aspect so that the resulting products are truly ready to compete in the market. “This two-day training does not end here. BNPP RI will promote ongoing mentoring up to the marketing aspect, so that the products have a direct impact on increasing the income of border communities,” he stated. This activity involved cross-sector collaboration with several strategic partners, including BAZNAS, Pertamina Foundation, Bank Rakyat Indonesia, and the local government, as an effort to strengthen the SME ecosystem in border areas. Head of PLBN Motaain, Maria Fatima Rika, appreciated BNPP RI’s initiative in making PLBN a centre for artisan capacity development. She affirmed that PLBN not only functions as a cross-border service hub but also as an engine for local economic growth. “PLBN is the front porch of the state. In line with BNPP RI’s directives, its presence must provide direct economic impact for surrounding communities,” she said. She hopes that human resource strengthening through this training will elevate Belu tie-dye weaving as a flagship commodity that not only holds cultural value but also has business competitiveness to penetrate border markets, including Timor Leste. Through human resource capacity enhancement and strengthening of SMEs based on local potential, BNPP RI reaffirms its commitment to delivering inclusive and sustainable economic development in border areas, while also bolstering the welfare of communities in Indonesia’s outermost regions.