People's Market Revitalization To Improve Competition Power

Padang, (Antaranews Sumbar) - Provincial Government of West Sumatra encourages districts and municipalities in the area to revitalize the people's market in order to compete with modern shopping malls.

"The image of the people's market is so close to muddy, smelly and uncomfortable that it should be addressed by revitalization," Head of West Sumatra Trade and Industry Agency, Asben Hendri stated in Padang on Friday.

He explained that related to the revitalization of people's market which is one of the programs in the jawboy of President Joko Widodo's administration.

According to him, the existence of people's market is still very needed by the community because the price of commodities especially the basic needs are relatively affordable compared to shopping centers.

If market conditions can be addressed, it is believed the economy will increasingly squirm and benefit the community and traders.

In 2018, there are 10 cities and districts that get allocation of revitalization fund of traditional market from central government. Total funds disbursed amounted to Rp18.667 billion.

The regions that received the budget were Mentawai Rp3.4 billion, Pasaman Rp1.2 billion, South Pesisir Rp3.8 billion, Sijunjung Rp615 million, Tanah Datar Rp677 million, Dharmasraya Rp1.3 billion, South Solok Rp4.03 billion, Solok Municipality Rp682 million and Pariaman Rp2.6 billion.

Despite the budget, there are still many people's markets with minimal facilities, so the districts and cities pro-actively submit proposals to be forwarded to the ministry. (cha)