Jewelry center to be renovated

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Local authorities plan to renovate the jewelry center at the Martapura, capital of the Banjar regency following the upgrading of the shopping centers nearby, an official said.

"More and more distant tourists and traders come here during the last years," spokesman Syahrani said as quoted by Antara yesterday. "We, therefore, need to upgrade the center as soon as possible," he said.

"The center is the biggest market that provides the largest stock of gems in this country. It sells jewel coming from Myanmar, India, Tanzania, Srilanka and other places.

The market upgrading is expected to boost tourism and increase the number of visitors to that town. (prs)