REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PURWOKERTO -- President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, accompanied by First Lady Iriani, launched a program to revitalize one thousand traditional markets in 2015.

The launch was held at Manis Market in Kedung Wuluh village, West Purwokerto sub-district, Banyumas district, Central Java province, on Tuesday.

Within the next five years, five thousand traditional markets should be built, the president said.

Modern markets have developed in every corner of the country, while most traditional markets continue to be old, the president stated, adding that some were even 20 to 30 years old.

The revitalization program should not focus on only the physical aspects of the buildings where the traditional markets are located. It should also improve their management to allow small traders access to larger capital, Jokowi pointed out.

He also emphasized that the interest rate of community business credits should be reduced from 22 percent to 12 percent.

On the occasion, Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel held a teleconference with the mayors of North Denpasar (Bali), Banda Aceh (Aceh Darussalam) and Bantaeng (South Sulawesi), where traditional markets will be revamped.

The presidential entourage included Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Cooperatives and SMEs Minister AAGN Puspayoga, and Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti.

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