REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANYUWANGI -- Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita praised the Banyuwangi district administration in East Java for its policies to protect small businesses in the trade sector by restricting the number of modern retailers.

"I have heard that modern retail outlets in Banyuwangi are restricted and even banned to protect small traders," he stated while visiting Blambangan Market here on Tuesday.

He lauded the local government's policy to ban the construction of malls in the heart of the city, but in the capitals of sub-districts, so that economic activities are not concentrated in the city.

He noted that the economic development in Banyuwangi was extraordinary when it comes to its economic growth, including the rising per capita income.

"The economy is growing, while the prices of basic commodities can be kept under control thanks to good coordination with the central government, state-owned companies, and other stakeholders," he remarked.

The construction of shopping centers is also tightly controlled in such a way that the local government will issue a permit to a shopping center if the income of the local people has reached a certain level, he asserted.

"Admittedly, we cannot stop the construction of (new) malls. But the local government has its own considerations as to when it should issue a permit (to a new mall). That is interesting," he explained.

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