Opportunities to Start Supermarkets Still Open

– The opportunity for investors to launch new supermarkets in Surakarta is still open. “If they want to open supermarkets in the northern area, we can still grant them permits,” said Surakarta Mayor, Joko Widodo, yesterday. He said the current economic and development activities are still concentrated in southern Surakarta, which is closer to the city centre. As a result, the northern part of the Surakarta is lagging behind. In the meantime, permits to start supermarkets in the southern area are no longer available. According to Joko, the policy is an effort to rescue small businessmen in the traditional markets.

There are investors ready to build a convention centre and a waste-generated power plant in northern Surakarta. Each of the project is valued at Rp 300 billion. “If they are added to the supermarkets, the area’s development can be more equitable,” Joko said.


AHMAD RAFIQ