Govt Ready To Construct, Revitalize Five Thousand Markets

Jakarta, May 18 (Antara) -- The government is ready to implement its programs to construct and revitalize five thousand traditional markets across the country this year, according to Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel. One thousand markets are expected to be built or revitalized annually, the minister said here on Sunday. "Right now, preparations to construct market buildings are underway. The state budget was disbursed just recently. We allocated some funds for the construction of new market buildings and for the revival of old ones," he affirmed. The plan to construct five thousand markets within five years is aimed at promoting community-based economy, the minister noted. It concerns not only physical constructions but also improvement of market management. The trade ministry has allocated some Rp2 trillion for the construction and revitalization of traditional markets as well as for the improvement of market management, Secretary of the Directorate of Domestic Trade of the Trade Ministry Jimmy Bella said. Markets that are more than 25 years old and those where 60 percent of the buildings are damaged are the traditional markets that will be renovated. The government also plans to build traditional markets in border areas in East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, North Kalimantan and West Kalimantan, he stated, adding that two new markets will be built in each region. During the 2011 to 2014 period, the government spent some Rp2.1 trillion to revitalize 497 markets, including 53 markets that were designated into pilot projects.