GOVERNMENT ON TRACK TO REVITALIZE OLD MARKETS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 5 (Antara) - The government has kept its promise of renovating 5,000 traditional markets in the country in the next five years.          After revitalizing 1,002 traditional markets in first year of the program in 2015, the government this year has set itself the target of developing 1,000 traditional markets with a total fund of Rp1.7 trillion.          "We keep our Nawacita promise well. The inauguration of the Pasar Manis Market in Purwokerto is a special event. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) laid its construction corner stone last year while announcing his Nawacita program to renovate 5,000 markets," Trade Minister Thomas Lembong said in Purwokerto, Central Java, on Wednesday.          He was accompanying President Jokowi, who inaugurated the first phase of revitalization at the Pasar Manis project in Purworkerto.          Nawacita, which is used by President Widodo as a term for his administration¿s development initiatives, is a Sanskrit term used for nine national priority development programs.

TRADITIONAL MARKETS NEED BOOST AGAINST MODERN COMPETITION

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Jan 30 (Antara) - The expansion of modern retailers in the country should not sacrifice, sideline, or even displace traditional markets, which constitute the economic centers of the middle and lower classes.          However, traditional markets, which used to number up to 13,000 across the country, should be renovated and revitalized, so that they can compete, and develop side-by-side, with modern markets.          In its efforts to improve the competitiveness of traditional markets, the government has conducted a traditional market revitalization program over the last few years. Between 2011 and 2013, the Ministry of Trade has revitalized 461 traditional markets, 53 of these being pilot projects.          "The funds for the renovation of the traditional markets were taken from the Trade Ministry's Task Assistance Funds, and amounted to Rp1.9 trillion," Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan said, as he prepared to inaugurate Leuwipanjang Market in Purwakarta District on Wednesday.           Thirteen of the traditional markets renovated were located in West Java and received funds of Rp75 billion. The Ministry of Trade is committed to continue improving traditional markets in various parts of the country, Gita added.          The program is intended to improve the image of traditional markets, which are often seen as dirty and disorganized. As they are revitalized, traditional markets in the country are expected to become cleaner, neater, and more in keeping with the atmosphere of modern markets.          "Overall, the turn-out at traditional markets increased by an average of 57 per cent after they were renovated," the minister added.