President Jokowi: Traditional Markets Need Special Attention

President Jokowi in a group photo with participants of the 2018 Asparindo National Working Meeting, at Aryaduta Hotel, Jakarta, Wednesday (12/12). (Photo by: Agung/Public Relations Division)

Traditional markets deserve special attention in order to survive the competition with modern markets, which can be found in almost all cities in Indonesia, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said.

“Products sold in traditional markets can actually compete (with those sold in modern markets),” the President said in his remarks at the Opening of the 2018 Indonesian Market Operators Association (Asparindo) National Working Meeting at Aryaduta Hotel, Jakarta, Wednesday (12/12).

For the record, the Government has built approximately 2,660 traditional markets throughout the country until 2017 and in 2018 alone it has built 1,500 traditional markets. The Government has also built around 6,500 small-scale markets in the villages. Those small-scale markets are expected to bring benefits for economy in the villages.

In terms of competitiveness, President Jokowi said that traditional markets are more competitive than modern markets. The President gave comparison between prices of products at traditional markets and the ones at modern markets. According to him, during his recent impromptu visit (blusukan) at a traditional market in Bogor, kangkung (water spinach) and spinach were priced at Rp1,500, while at modern markets kangkung was priced at Rp3,400 and spinach was priced at Rp3,500.

Nevertheless, the President said that many traditional markets are still facing problems like being a slummy,  muddy, and untidy condition and lacking parking spaces.

“So this is the task of the Government and regional-owned enterprises to improve the condition of our traditional markets, while the private sector’s task is to attract consumers so that they keep going to traditional markets,” President Jokowi said.

President Jokowi also mentioned the need to develop traditional markets both offline and online.

“Traditional markets operate offline and (we have to figure out) how they can also be developed online. The two systems must be connected. Traditional markets are fast developing because the prices there can compete. It would be better if traditional markets have their own marketplaces and provide home delivery service, for example,” the President said, adding that it is the task of the Asparindo to develop traditional markets in an online platform as well.

Regarding payment method, the President said he had ordered Minister of Communications and Information to provide cashless payment methods at traditional markets.

“We must introduce cashless payment systems at our traditional markets, for example through electronic data capture (EDC) system or other cashless payment systems. We should also start to give training (to the sellers at traditional markets),” the President said, adding that with these measures traditional markets are expected to be able to compete with supermarkets and hypermarkets.

“I am sure our traditional markets can compete provided that we fix the management,” the President said.

(DNS/AGG/ES)

Translated by: Muhardi

Edited by: M. Ersan Pamungkas