President Joko Widodo observed market conditions at Tanah Abang Market, Central Jakarta, on the first day of 2023 after opening stock trading activities at the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) earlier.

The president said that Tanah Abang Market reflected the real economic conditions that the people felt.

“I want to see how the real sector moves because (Tanah Abang Market) is the market for products produced in regions. If (market activity) here declines or stops, then that means the production declined or stopped,” he stated after his visit here.

During his visit, Jokowi, accompanied by acting Jakarta Governor Heru Budi Hartono, strolled the market and interacted with merchants.

The president said he was keen to see market conditions generate optimism in 2023, as Indonesia had been successful in maintaining positive economic growth despite global economic challenges in 2022.

Moreover, the government decided to end the public activities restriction (PPKM) policy on Friday (December 30) on account of the improving pandemic conditions in Indonesia, he stated.

“2022 was not easy for all of us despite earlier years of being equally challenging. We hope there would be more optimism in 2023 after the PPKM policy was revoked,” Jokowi remarked.

The president expressed hope that market optimism following the end of the PPKM policy could benefit traditional markets in regions, such as the 16 Ilir Market in Palembang, Terong Market in Makassar, Beringharjo Market in Yogyakarta, and Johar Market in Semarang.

“I asked merchants who informed me that their revenue in 2022 was better than in 2021. We hope 2023 will be better than 2022,” he stated.

Jokowi also commended merchants that were digital-literate and had gained access to digital marketplace platforms.

“I believe this is a leap (that market merchants) have entered the digital sector, which we hope will facilitate interactions between producers and consumers and sellers and buyers,” the president remarked.

Source: Antara News