VP: TRADITIONAL MARKET SHOULD NOT BUILT BY INVESTORS

Semarang, Central Java, May 21 (ANTARA) - Vice President M Jusuf Kalla said that traditional markets should be built or renovated by regional administration and cooperatives, not by investors, in order to have affordable rental costs of kiosks and affordable prices of products.

If investors who built or renovated the markets, the price might jump from Rp2 million/m2 to Rp20 million/m2, the vice president told hundreds of traders at Johar traditional market, here on Thursday.

He hoped the 70-year-old traditional market in Central Java could be built like the one at Tanah Abang in Jakarta.

Kalla also hoped that traditional markets could also be as good as modern markets and malls, especially regarding the cleanliness and security.

He asked managers of traditional markets to improve the markets which were often gutted by fire or flooded.

The vice president said a good cooperation involving traders' cooperatives, regional administrations and banks was crucial for improving traditional markets.

He urged the president director of BRI to talk to local traders and listen to what they need, especially the credit facility.

He said traditional markets, not only those in Jakarta, should be able to progress.

After visiting Johar traditional market, Kalla and his spouse, Mrs. Mufidah, and Semarang Mayor Sukawi Sutarip held a brief meeting with ulemas (Islamic scholars) in Semarang Grand Mosque, before proceeding to Kendal, also in Central Java Province.