PT SRI’s Breakthrough in Building an Ice Maker and Cold Storage Factory in Collaboration with the Bangka Belitung Islands Provincial Government

(South Bangka, 10/05/22) Groundbreaking for the Construction of a Solar-Powered Ice Maker and Cold Storage Factory which is a collaboration between the Bangka Belitung Islands Provincial Government and PT Surya Energi Indotama (PT SEI) has been held. Taking place in Tukak Sadai, South Bangka Regency, this event was attended by the Deputy Governor of the Bangka Belitung Islands Drs. Abdul Fatah, Representatives of the South Bangka Regency Government, PT SEI as an investor, Forkopimda, Bumdes, village officials, and representatives of fishermen from 5 surrounding villages.

At the event, Abdul Fatah placed sand material as a symbol of the start of construction. With him, Bambang Iswanto as President Director of PT SEI, Musani as Deputy Chairman of the South Bangka Regency DPRD, Haris Setiawan as Representative of the South Bangka Regency Government, and Joko Isnawan as the South Bangka Police Chief also took part in the symbolic procession.

"This (development) is a hope for the economic progress of the community, especially in Tukak Sadai Village," said Abdul Fatah.

The construction of the Solar-Powered Ice Maker and Cold Storage Factory is one of the answers to the problems of fishermen in Bangka Belitung, especially Tukak Sadai. The limited freshness of fish, shrimp, or other sea catches occurs because the need for ice or cooling is not met in the temporary storage process or shipping. Fishermen are also unable to sell their catch to further areas or store their catch for longer.

With the availability of more ice from the Ice Maker Factory, fishermen can use it to maintain the freshness of their catch. Moreover, the demand for ice for fishermen in Tukak Sadai, which is predicted to be the second highest village contributing to fish catches in Bangka, has only been met by 28 tons of the need for around 80 tons/day.

This development has been initiated jointly by the provincial government and PT SEI. As a company that has a vision as a solution to community problems, PT SEI, which is also a subsidiary of PT Len Industri (Persero) and part of the Defense Industry BUMN Holding DEFEND ID, is ready to be part of the solution.

In addition to being able to contribute to meeting the needs of ice and cooling for fishermen's catches in Bangka Belitung, this Solar-Powered Ice Maker and Cold Storage Factory is also able to answer the need for clean energy and reduce carbon emissions from the installed PLTS.

"This is a really good and excellent development condition. We use New Renewable Energy with solar power. "Hopefully today's Ground Break will become a reality tomorrow and the day after, and will be beneficial for us," said Abdul Fatah in his speech.

Tukak Sadai in South Bangka Regency will be a pilot project for the construction of an Ice Maker and Cold Storage Factory which does not rule out the possibility of being built in other villages. "This is an example of how to build an ice maker and cold storage into one integrated unit. Of course, if after this we do it, it is possible that this implementation will be carried out in other areas," said Bambang Iswanto in his speech.

The Bangka Belitung Islands Provincial Government has high hopes that development like this will continue and become a trigger for other areas as an effort to improve the economy of the surrounding community. For PT SEI, there is great hope that this development can be a new step in how the company can provide solutions for the community.

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