Jayapura – Papua’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are now in the spotlight for their ability to compete on the global stage thanks to product innovations based on local potential. With support from the government, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and various empowerment programs, business actors in Papua continue to grow, elevating the regional economy while introducing cultural identity to the world market.
One inspiring story comes from Sasagu, a Papuan MSME that has successfully created innovative sago-based processed products and is ready to enter international markets. Starting from the difficulty of finding boba ingredients during the 2021 PON XX, Sasagu’s founder, Herlinda Sinaga, turned a challenge into a golden opportunity. “At that time, I had trouble finding boba and tapioca flour, which sparked the idea to make boba and various other products from sago,” she said.
Armed with innovation and perseverance, Herlinda created sago boba and gluten-free sago cookies, which are now highly sought after in the market. With support from Pertamina UMK Academy 2025, Sasagu received comprehensive training ranging from production management to marketing. “This program helped us a lot. We learned how to build a strong brand and effective marketing strategies,” Herlinda explained.
The results have been outstanding. Sasagu’s products are now among the best-sellers in major supermarkets in Jayapura. In fact, Sasagu is currently exploring partnerships with buyers from Germany and Japan. Herlinda was also the only female entrepreneur from Eastern Indonesia selected for the 25 Woman-led MSMEs Ready to Export program by Australia Awards 2024, opening up significant export opportunities to Australia.
Beyond business success, Sasagu also prioritizes environmental sustainability. “We are committed to planting five sago seedlings for every tree cut down,” said Herlinda, emphasizing the importance of preserving Papua’s ecosystem.
This success has been recognized by Pertamina. Ispiani Abbas, Area Manager for Communication Relation & CSR at Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Papua Maluku, stated that the MSME empowerment program is designed to drive regional economic growth. “The program provides accessible and interactive training. This year, 21 MSMEs from Papua Maluku have participated in the training and shown significant progress,” she revealed.
Sasagu’s success story proves that with support from the government, SOEs, and the hard work of entrepreneurs, Papua’s MSMEs can penetrate global markets while uplifting the regional economy. Going forward, initiatives like this are expected to inspire other MSMEs in Papua to keep innovating and go global.