"We and the acting district head of Sorong have inspected the market's condition and we will improve the facilities so that it is worthy of being a strategic market," acting governor of Southwest Papua, Muhammad Musa’ad, said here on Wednesday (July 19).
He informed that his administration will hold coordination meetings with all parties, including the Sorong administration, to plan out strategies for upgrading the market.
Mariat Market needs to be representative and support economic activities in the region, he said.
The market, which is spread over an area of 35 hectares, will be rejuvenated with the budget from the provincial government and the Sorong district government.
"We will work together and finish all preparations for the market," Musa'ad said.
The Sorong district government has set up a number of market facilities such as shop houses, water, electricity, and other basic infrastructure to support market activities.
"They have appointed a technical implementation unit (UPT) that will manage the market," he said.
The facilities at the market are already adequate, but some renovations are required, he added.
"We have chosen Mariat Market as the center of economic development and growth because it is strategic and is possible to be developed more widely," he said.
He underscored the huge potential that Sorong has in agriculture, so it is deemed necessary to develop a market to circulate agricultural products more quickly.
The Sorong administration has reopened Mariat Market to spur local economic growth.
On May 26, 2023, Sorong acting district head Yan Piet Mosso said in Sorong that his staff will immediately build road access and complete other facilities and infrastructure for the market.
He expressed the hope that the market can become the region's center of economic growth and boost regional income.
Related news: BI launches digital payments at W Papua traditional market
Related news: President Jokowi shops at Imbi Park Noken Market
Translator: Yuvensius B, Kenzu
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
Copyright © ANTARA 2023