From Migrant Worker to Overseas Entrepreneur: The Inspiring Journey of Tati Purwanti in Taiwan Supported by BRI Taipei

The journey of Indonesian migrant workers extends far beyond sending remittances back to their homeland. For many, years of hard work abroad serve as a stepping stone toward financial independence, entrepreneurship, and job creation. A compelling testament to this resilience is the story of Tati Purwanti, a former Indonesian Migrant Worker (PMI) from Indramayu, West Java, who successfully transitioned from a domestic worker in Taiwan to a thriving culinary entrepreneur managing multiple businesses across borders. Her journey exemplifies the core spirit of the "Teman Seperjuangan PMI" initiative championed by PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, or BRI, which actively supports the aspirations of Indonesian diaspora workers striving to build sustainable economic futures.

Two Decades of Resilience and Adaptation

More than twenty years ago, Tati left her hometown in Indramayu to seek employment in Taiwan. As the eldest child and the primary breadwinner of her family, migrating abroad was a calculated necessity to elevate her family’s standard of living. Navigating the trials and triumphs of life in a foreign country, Tati remained steadfast in her mission to secure a better future for her loved ones.

After several years of dedicated service as a migrant worker, Tati’s personal and professional life entered a new chapter in 2013 when she married a Taiwanese national and began establishing her roots abroad. Despite settling into family life in Taiwan, her entrepreneurial ambitions remained undiminished. Encouraged by the full support of her husband, Tati made the bold decision to return to Indonesia in 2016 to leverage the insights and experiences she had gathered during her years living overseas.

Spotting an opportunity in the burgeoning culinary trends of the mid-2010s, Tati focused on the rising popularity of bubble tea, a beverage culture deeply integrated into daily life in Taiwan. Recognizing that the trend had yet to reach its peak in certain domestic markets, she decided to introduce her own version of the beverage to Indonesian consumers.

"At that time, I noticed how widespread bubble tea was in Taiwan. Seeing that market opportunity, I decided to apply the experience and knowledge I gained while living there. Alhamdulillah, what I learned abroad could finally be tested and implemented in Indonesia," Tati reflected.

Her entrepreneurial venture steadily gained traction. Starting from humble beginnings, Tati meticulously scaled her bubble tea enterprise until it boasted five operational branches and successfully absorbed approximately 35 local workers, thereby generating meaningful employment opportunities within her community.

The Pandemic Pivot and a New Culinary Venture

However, the unprecedented global disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 presented an insurmountable hurdle for many small and medium enterprises, including Tati’s bubble tea chain. Plummeting business activities and shifting economic landscapes forced her to reevaluate her operational strategies. After exhausting various avenues to keep the domestic business afloat, Tati made the strategic decision to return to Taipei to reorganize her life and explore fresh economic opportunities.

Returning to Taipei in 2020 did not signal the end of her entrepreneurial aspirations. Armed with hard-earned business acumen and resilience forged in the Indonesian market, Tati began scanning her immediate environment for viable commercial openings. By 2022, she identified a distinct cultural and culinary niche: introducing authentic Indonesian comfort food, specifically Bubur Cirebon (Cirebon-style porridge), to the local and diaspora community in Taiwan.

Venturing into the local food scene with a traditional Indonesian breakfast dish presented immediate logistical and cultural anxieties, particularly given Taiwan’s characteristically warm climate.

"Initially, I had my doubts. Taiwan is quite warm—would people actually want to eat porridge? But I reasoned that if we never try, we will never know. So at that time, I decided to just go for it," Tati shared.

Collaborating closely with her husband, Tati spent roughly eight months refining and perfecting the recipe for her Bubur Cirebon. The enterprise began humbly as a roadside stall, where the couple focused rigorously on maintaining consistent flavor profiles and introducing the product to prospective customers. Gradually, the authentic taste of Bubur Cirebon captured a loyal market, allowing Tati to transition from a street stall to a permanent brick-and-mortar storefront. Today, her business generates a monthly turnover ranging between 30,000 NTD and 120,000 NTD.

Empowering Fellow Indonesians Abroad

Beyond commercial success, the growth of Tati’s culinary business has fostered a deeper sense of social responsibility. Having experienced firsthand the vulnerabilities and challenges of arriving in Taiwan as a foreign worker, Tati is committed to uplifting her compatriots.

"I used to come to Taiwan to work and help my family. So now, if there is an opportunity to help fellow Indonesians who want to work here, I assist them as much as I can. I know they also have families back home that they want to support," she stated.

Financial Evolution and Banking Support Through BRI Taipei

As Tati’s enterprise expanded, her financial management needs evolved concurrently. Moving beyond basic personal banking transactions, Tati now relies extensively on BRI Taipei to deposit her business revenues. Furthermore, to accommodate a diverse clientele and streamline operations, she has integrated QR Payment systems into her store.

"In the past, I only used BRI to send money home to Indonesia. Now, after owning a business, my needs have changed. The cash proceeds from my sales can be easily deposited through BRI Taipei, and now my customers can also pay using QR Payment. I never imagined my journey would reach this stage, and the BRI Taiwan staff has been immensely helpful throughout," Tati noted.

Institutional Perspectives on Migrant Empowerment

Tati’s trajectory serves as a living reflection of the "Teman Seperjuangan PMI" spirit championed by BRI. Hery Gunardi, President Director of BRI, emphasized that the institution remains dedicated to empowering Indonesian citizens—including migrant workers—to transform their international exposure and acquired skill sets into broader economic ventures.

"For BRI, Ibu Tati’s story demonstrates that migrant workers not only hold a vital role in supporting family finances and contributing to the national economy, but they also possess immense potential to evolve into successful entrepreneurs. The journey from a migrant worker to someone capable of building a business, creating employment, and opening opportunities for fellow Indonesians is a concrete manifestation of the empowerment spirit we continuously strive to foster," Hery stated.

Hery added that BRI’s strategic presence in Taiwan is purposefully designed to build a comprehensive financial ecosystem that aligns seamlessly with the life cycles and financial journeys of Indonesian diaspora communities.

"BRI’s presence in Taiwan is about being closer to the Indonesian community that works, creates, and builds its future in Taiwan. We want BRI to serve as a bridge connecting financial needs in Taiwan with families and various requirements back home in Indonesia," he explained.

Digital Transformation and Connectivity with BRImo Taiwan

Through its Taipei branch, BRI bridges financial connectivity between Indonesian nationals in Taiwan and the homeland, managing essential services ranging from traditional remittance channels to everyday commercial settlements. To accommodate the dynamic financial requirements of modern expatriates, digital banking infrastructure has been significantly expanded.

As part of these institutional enhancements, BRI officially introduced BRImo Taiwan, a dedicated mobile banking solution engineered specifically for the Indonesian diaspora in Taiwan. The application grants users round-the-clock access to an array of financial services—including international remittances to Indonesia, domestic transfers within Taiwan, utility and merchant payments, and various transactional needs—all consolidated within a single digital platform. By leveraging BRImo Taiwan, cross-border money transfers are executed with heightened speed and efficiency.

Operational Scale and Economic Footprint of BRI Taipei

Operating strategically within the Zhongshan District of Taipei, BRI Taipei plays a pivotal anchor role for the overseas Indonesian workforce. Financial disclosures indicate that as of the end of July 2026, BRI Taipei recorded total assets exceeding US$408 million. During the same comparative period, bilateral remittance transactions channeled between Taiwan and Indonesia reached approximately US$490 million, with active services extending across more than 3,400 established accounts.

The intersection of individual resilience, such as that demonstrated by Tati Purwanti, and robust institutional support frameworks like those provided by BRI highlights a sustainable blueprint for migrant empowerment. By turning overseas employment into a stepping stone for independent enterprise, Indonesian diaspora workers continue to redefine their socioeconomic contributions on both local and international stages.