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)