Former Migrant Worker Develops Seafood Processing Business in Indramayu with BRI Support

Four years working as a migrant worker in Malaysia became an important part of Rosyidah’s life journey. However, when that period abroad ended, she chose to return to her home village of Eretan Kulon, Kandanghaur District, Indramayu Regency, carrying a new sheet of hope. Upon returning to Indonesia, Rosyidah saw the potential that had always been so close to the lives of coastal communities. Marine resources were available in abundance, but most had not been processed into products with higher economic value. Behind this condition, she saw an opportunity worth pursuing. Armed with courage, Rosyidah began pioneering a seafood processing business under the brand C’milzea. This venture also became a way for her to open opportunities for the wives of local fishermen to contribute and earn additional income. ‘I saw that the natural resources around us were very abundant, but they lacked selling value. From there, I dared to process them into products while also creating job opportunities for the fishermen’s wives in the area,’ she said. The journey of building a business was not always smooth. The biggest challenge Rosyidah faced came from the process of building self-confidence as a business actor. She had to learn to change her mindset, rise from various doubts, and understand how to market her products so they would become more widely known. Her desire to continue growing led her to participate in the Post-Migrant Worker Training organised by BRI. The programme became a new learning space for Rosyidah to strengthen her entrepreneurial skills while broadening her insights into business development. For Rosyidah, the training opened up opportunities to meet and exchange experiences with fellow business actors. From there, she gained new perspectives that helped her see her business in a different light. ‘This training really helped me improve my mindset as a business actor. Besides that, I also gained new networks that are very useful for business development,’ she said. The knowledge gained during the training was gradually applied to her business. One application was the development of processed fish into new value-added products, thereby expanding the range of products offered to consumers. ‘Alhamdulillah, after attending the training I gained a lot of knowledge, especially in processing fish, such as making fish crackers. This knowledge has been very helpful in developing the business I run,’ said Rosyidah.