Kulonprogo opens art market

Kulonprogo opens art market

Kulonprogo regency, Yogyakarta, started the operation of dozens of kiosks selling artwork and handicrafts on Nov. 17 as part of an art market project being built on a 1.9-hectare plot of lnd in Salamrejo village, to showcase local handicrafts.

"The strategic location and easy accessibility for this market is expected to show Kulonprogo's handicrafts to the outside world so as to boost local business and economic development," said head of the regency's trade and industrial office H. Subito.

Soenarjo, chief of Koperasi Serba Usaha (KSU) Lancar, a regency cooperative managing the project, said the art market would comprise 72 kiosks and be ready in 2006.

"The second stage of construction of the market will start on Nov. 20," he continued, adding that the 12 newly opened shops cost Rp 315 million.

All the shops, the first dozen of which were funded by KSU Lancar, will be rented out to traditional arts and crafts businesspeople for a period of 20 years. -- JP