Klewer market polishes its image<\/p>\n
Kartika Bagus C., The Jakarta Post, Surakarta, Central Java<\/p>\n
It is dawn but in the heart of Surakarta, Central Java, the
\nbusiness day is well under way.<\/p>\n
One by one traders open their kiosks in Klewer market, while
\nporters busily lug stacks of fabric outside the market, believed
\nto be the largest textile market in Central Java.<\/p>\n
Klewer is inseparable part of the city, playing an important
\nrole in the lives of many of the town's over 500,000 residents.<\/p>\n
With an estimated turnover of Rp 7 billion daily -- according
\nto a recent survey conducted by the local branch of Bank
\nIndonesia of 11 bank branches located in the market complex --
\nKlewer might be the second biggest textile market in the country,
\nafter Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
According to the head of Klewer's vendor association, Hafidz
\nSafari, 50, the market is known throughout the province.<\/p>\n
In fact, he said, some 70 percent of visitors and buyers at
\nthe market came from outside of Surakarta, especially from
\neastern parts of Indonesia like East Nusa Tenggara and
\nKalimantan.<\/p>\n
Klewer's popularity, he said, was the result of its particular
\ncharacter, which could not be found in other traditional markets
\nin Indonesia. Klewer is a treasure trove of batik -- from
\nhandmade batik to modern printed cloth, and lurik, the
\ntraditional Javanese striped woven cloth.<\/p>\n
Prices are also far cheaper than in other markets. Printed
\nbatik, for instance, is sold for between Rp 20,000 and Rp
\n100,000, while lurik is sold for Rp 10,000 to Rp 15,000. Handmade
\nbatik, however, is more expensive, from Rp 500,000 up, depending
\non the kind of cloth used, either modest mori (unbleached plain
\ncloth) or silk.<\/p>\n
If everything goes as expected, soon Klewer market -- built on
\n13,461,68 square meters of land in the 1970s and home to 2,064
\nregistered traders -- might not only be a center for batik, but
\ncould also become a tourist spot. The market is strategically
\nlocated, near the Surakarta Palace complex and Agung Mosque.<\/p>\n
The head of Surakarta's market agency, Triyanto, said the
\npalace, mosque and market had become the main trademarks of the
\ntown.<\/p>\n
"From our experience, tourists visiting the palace will
\ncertainly drop by at the mosque and then go on to Klewer. The
\nthree places have become one," Triyanto said.<\/p>\n
Soon, as part of a plan to improve the town's image and
\nattract more tourists, a guide book of the town and its tourist
\nspots is being prepared. The administration is also considering
\nworking with travel agents to promote the town.<\/p>\n
Triyanto stressed the need to improve Klewer market's image
\nand looks in order to improve the comfort of visitors.<\/p>\n
"The mushrooming number of sidewalk vendors and parking
\nproblems are daily matters that should be dealt with immediately
\nor the area won't become an ideal tourist site," he said.<\/p>",
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