Traditional markets need to be maintained, Try says
Traditional markets need to be maintained, Try says
JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno called for the
maintenance of traditional market places in order to support
cooperatives, small-scale companies and also help low-income
consumers.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day conference on
entrepreneurship and traditional market places held here
yesterday, the Vice President said that the presence of
traditional markets is still needed by society despite the
increased demand for modern market places such as supermarkets
and department stores.
Try acknowledged, however, that small-scale traders and street
vendors, due to their high mobility, often caused public
disturbances such as traffic jams.
"But their presence is still needed as they are not only more
accessible to consumers but are also an effective marketing tool
for small-scale companies and cooperatives," he said.
The Vice President, therefore, called on the provincial
administrations not to harass street vendors, but to provide them
with proper market places.
He said provincial administrations should be more creative in
providing proper, affordable market places for small-scale
traders and street vendors.
"I am happy that in several areas a number of market places
have been designated especially for small-scale vendors and some
of them have even been developed into tourist areas," he said.
Interaction
The Vice President said that the social interaction taking
place at traditional markets reflects the Indonesian cultural
characteristics in which family ties, togetherness and
helpfulness are highly honored.
On the other hand, the demand for more modern markets such as
department stores and supermarkets should also be fulfilled to
meet the need of consumers who appreciate efficiency, quality and
service, he said.
"The operation of small-scale traders and supermarkets should,
therefore, complement one another," he said, adding that small-
scale companies and cooperatives could, for example, become
suppliers to supermarkets and department stores.
Try warned that provincial administrations, which directly
oversee the activities of markets, should not let large retail
businesses "kill" small-scale traders.
"The most important thing is that the operation of
supermarkets should not threaten small-scale traders," the Vice
President said in his speech.
Minister for Cooperatives Subiakto Tjakrawerdaya said that 250
people representing cooperatives and small-scale companies
participated in the gathering.
The conference was organized within the framework of
developing small-scale companies and cooperatives in the country,
the minister said. (hen)