Through This Programme, BRI Helps Sorong Dried Fish Entrepreneurs Move Up a Class
PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or BRI continues to strengthen its commitment to empowering and advancing MSMEs across various regions of Indonesia. One example is the Klasterku Hidupku mentoring programme at BRI Unit Dofior in Sorong City, Southwest Papua.
The programme assists dried fish processing entrepreneurs in increasing their business capacity while expanding their market reach. One of them is Nursia, whose journey in building a dried fish processing business began in 2017. Armed with a desire for a more prosperous life, she gradually saved capital until she finally dared to start her own business.
Even so, Nursia’s business journey was not without challenges. Dependence on the availability of marine products meant that her production activities were heavily influenced by sea conditions and fishermen’s catches.
On the other hand, her business income also depended on fish price movements and market demand levels. “Every month there are ups and downs. However, we always try to survive,” Nursia said in an official statement on Saturday (29/8/2026).
Amid these conditions, the need for capital became one of the important factors in maintaining business continuity. “When I first started, I needed funds of around Rp10 million to Rp15 million to buy fish as raw material. However, that limited capital began to find a solution at the end of the same year, when I obtained financing from BRI,” she said.
Nursia also mentioned that her relationship with BRI did not stop at access to financing. Through mentoring by BRI’s Mantri officers, she and other fish entrepreneurs in the Jembatan Puri area were encouraged to form the BRI Klaster Penjual Ikan Jembatan Puri Sorong through the Klasterku Hidupku programme.
The formation of the cluster meant that business actors no longer faced various challenges alone. The cluster became a space for members to exchange information, discuss business obstacles, and seek solutions together. They also received training on brand strengthening, product packaging, and marketing, as well as the opportunity to participate in BRI MSME exhibitions to expand product recognition.
“Joining the cluster became a new chapter for the development of my business. Besides obtaining access to financing, I also received mentoring to increase capacity and maintain business sustainability,” said Nursia.
One of the things Nursia most appreciated from her partnership with BRI was the mentoring provided by BRI’s Mantri officers. “Since I first joined, the BRI Mantri officers have been very friendly and the thing that left the deepest impression on me was the patience of the officers in helping overcome administrative obstacles and completing requirements that I did not yet understand,” she said.
This consistent mentoring made Nursia feel valued, not only as a customer but also as a business partner growing together with BRI. “We were also taught how to trade online and market products through social media,” said Nursia.
“The achievement we are most grateful for is being able to pay our obligations to the bank on time every month without any record of non-performing credit. Household needs are still met and business capital is also maintained,” said Nursia.
BRI Micro Director Akhmad Purwakajaya said that BRI continues to strengthen its empowerment ecosystem to help MSMEs obtain financial support, improve business capabilities, and expand market access. This approach is carried out through various initiatives, including Klasterku Hidupku.
“BRI is committed to empowering MSMEs comprehensively through the synergy of capital support, strengthening social capital, and digital transformation as a solution for expanding market access. Through this approach, BRI is committed to accompanying Indonesian MSMEs so that they become more resilient, adaptive, and able to move up a class sustainably,” he concluded.