HYPERMARKETS ASKED TO INCREASE ABSORPTION OF UKM PRODUCTS

Jakarta, Feb 12 (ANTARA) - Trade Minister Mari Pengestu has asked retail traders such as hypermarkets to increase their absorption of small and medium entrepreneurs' products from ten percent to 30 percent.

"I give them (all hypermarkets) a homework and challenge to increase their absorption of small and medium entrepreneurs or UKM products from the current 10 percent to 30 percent," the minister said when opening a seminar about the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) here Friday.

Minister Pangestu also expressed hope that the retail traders could help increase the sale of local products in the domestic markets.

"We are also challenging ourselves to increase the absorption
of UKM products. If the government has set itself a target, we can also set a target for entrepreneurs," she said.

The minister also requested retail traders not to sell illegally imported goods so as to help keep local products competitive under the ACFTA.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Indonesian Retail Traders Association (Aprindo) Benjamin Mailool welcomed the government's call to increase absorption of UKM products to as much as 30 percent.***