It is hoped that the benefits of the quality market infrastructure can be directly enjoyed by the public
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated the newly renovated Pon Market, which was ravaged by a fire in 2018, by signing an inscription at the market located in Trenggalek District, East Java Province, on Tuesday.

The inauguration was a part of his working visit to the province. He was accompanied by Public Works and Public Housing Minister (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono, State Secretary Minister Pratikno, East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, Deputy Governor of East Java, Emil Dardak, and head of Trenggalek District, Mochamad Nur Arifin.

He took a 15-minute tour of the market before leaving for the Menak Sopal Helipad.

From there, he continued his trip to the Iswahjudi Air Force Base in Magetan District by helicopter.

Meanwhile, in a written statement, PUPR Minister Hadimuljono said that the renovation made the trade center safer, cleaner, more comfortable, more organized, and more aesthetic.

"It is hoped that the benefits of the quality market infrastructure can be directly enjoyed by the public, especially in ensuring the distribution of basic commodities and helping to improve the real sector as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)," he remarked.

The renovation of the market began on January 10, 2020. After it was completed, the management of the market was handed over to the Trenggalek district government on February 9, 2021.

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The concept of the market building—which occupies an area of 5,800 square meters and houses 479 stalls and 310 booths—is a mixture of classic Victorian design and local architecture, depicted through temple accents and exposed brick, the minister noted.

The revitalization of Pon Market was determined in Presidential Regulation Number 43/2019, along with eight other markets.

The other markets included Sukawati Market (Gianyar district), Legi Market (Ponorogo District), Renteng Market (Central Lombok District), and Pariaman Market (Pariaman City), East Klewer Market and Legi Market in Surakarta City, Pancasila Fort Market in Mojokerto City, as well as Kaliwungu Market in Kendal District, he said.

It is hoped that the revitalized markets will help expedite local economic recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, he added.

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Translator: Desca Natalia, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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