PRESIDENT TO DEDICATE TRADITIONAL MARKET REVITALIZATION PROJECT

Jakarta, Dec 2 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to dedicate a traditional market revitalization project to stimulate the local economy on January 20, 2010.

"The traditional market revitalization project will be dedicated by President Yudhoyono on January 20 next year," State Minister for Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Sjarifuddin Hasan said after attending a working meeting with House of Representatives (DPR)'s Commission-VI at the legislative building in Senayan on Wednesday.

Sjarifuddin said the traditional market revitalization project was part of the new cabinet's first 100-day program.

According to the minister, the implementation of the project was still "on schedule."
"The level of the traditional market revitalization project's completion varies from one place to another," Minister Sjarifuddin Hasan said.

Sjarifuddin said he had made the List of Project Budget (DIPA) for some 90 traditional markets in a number of areas across the country except East Kalimantan.

"Traditional market revitalization is one of the government's important programs to side with the people," Sjarifuddin said.

He expressed hope that following the traditional market revitalization project, traders and business makers productivity would increase, and the unemployment and poverty rates in various areas would be reduced.

Meanwhile, Business Network and Marketing deputy chairman at the State Ministry for Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Ikhwan Asrin said traditional market revitalization projects which had been completed 100 percent were among others in Sragen, Palu, Parigi, Central Sulawesi, Southeast Minahasa, Minawai, Konawe, Demak and Kudus.

"A total of nine DIPA for the markets which have been completed 20 to 49 percent were issued late of October this year," Ikhwan said.

However, he was optimistic that all projects would be completed on time before the end of this year.

He said the revitalization of 90 traditional markets which were targeted to finish before the end of this year would absorb around 37,440 workers.

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