Pelni to Open Retail Shop Called Pelnimart

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-owned shipping firm PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia (Pelni) is developing its business by doing expansion to the retail sectors. Through its subsidiary PT Sarana Bandar Nasional, PT Pelni is to develop Pelnimart, an outlet which sells basic commodities.

The first outlet was officially opened in Manokawari, Papua on March 31, 2015.

The idea to open Pelnimart was first made by PT Pelni President Director Sulistyo Wimbo Hardjito and it was met a positive response from the management of its subsidiaries, PT SBN and PT PIDC.

"PT SBN then immediately contacted its business network for the supply of goods. The building will use a branch office or an official house scattered in almost all islands in the country,” said Sulistyo Wimbo Hardjito in a written statement received by Tempo on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

For the record, Pelni has ships that can carry containers with the routes that pass through many islands in the country. The ships can be used to transport basic commodities of the people in Eastern Indonesia.

“So this is collaboration between opportunities and resources.” Wimbo said.

After the opening of the first outlet in Manokwari, the next outlets will be opened Sorong and Jayapura and are to be built this month.

Pelnimart is expected to help smooth distribution and to help the government to keep the balance of prices in eastern Indonesia and western Indonesia.

HARUN MAHBUB