Accompanied By Governor Edy And Mayor Bobby, Trade Minister Lutfi Ensures Sufficient Stocks Of Staples In North Sumatra

JAKARTA - The Minister of Trade (Mendag) Muhammad Lutfi has confirmed that the price of staple goods (bapok) is stable and affordable in the North Sumatra region.

This was conveyed by Trade Minister Lutfi after visiting the Belawan Javanese People's Market, Medan City and the Medan Metro Main Market, accompanied by the Governor of North Sumatra Edy Rahmayadi, and the Mayor of Medan Bobby Nasution.

"This visit is to ensure supply availability and stability of bapok prices in Ramadan ahead of Eid. Hopefully this will be a provision for facing fasting and Eid to be more devoted to worship, "he said in a statement as quoted on Monday, May 3.

According to the Trade Minister, this visit was also to see the revitalization of the Java Belawan market which is now better, not flooded, and people can shop in peace.

“The Ministry of Trade will prepare a people's market that can compete with modern markets in order to increase seller's income and buyer's comfort. It is hoped that this revitalization can be carried out soon, "he said.

Observations at the Jawa Belawan Market show that several staple commodities such as rice, sugar, wheat flour and cooking oil are in normal price ranges. Meanwhile, at the Medan Metro Central Market, the prices of horticultural commodities such as local chilies, onions and potatoes are still relatively reasonable in terms of prices.

"The Ministry of Trade in collaboration with local governments will try to move the economy. One of them is by maintaining the stability of bapok prices so that people's purchasing power can be reached, especially in the COVID-19 pandemic, "he explained.

On the same occasion, Director General of Domestic Trade Syailendra said that his party continues to monitor prices and supplies of staple goods nationally. In addition, the Ministry of Trade also continues to coordinate with local governments and local entrepreneurs so that prices and supplies remain stable.

"In general, the supply of bapok is sufficient and the price is stable," added Syailendra.