Impact Of PPKM Dropping Level, Wallet Crafts In Banten Flood Orders From Jakarta

LEBAK – For the past three weeks, wallet craftsmen in Lebak, Banten have been overwhelmed by the increasing orders for leather wallets. It is estimated that there is high market demand.

"We are greatly helped by the family's economy with the increasing market demand", said Rahmat, a wallet crafter in Giri Mukti Village, Cimarga, Lebak Regency, quoting Antara, Sunday, September 12.

Rahmat considered that the implementation of Level 2 Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) and the decline in COVID-19 cases in his area were the main factors for the high demand for the wallet market.

He said, it can boost the economy of the local community, which is the center for wallet crafts in Lebak Regency. The wallet production, he continued, was supplied to Pasar Senen and Mangga Dua Jakarta.

"We supply wallet production to Jakarta, increasing to 100 points/week and selling for IDR 60 million, at a price of IDR 600 thousand/Kodi, whereas previously it was only 30 points/week", he said.

H Yahya, another crafter, admitted that currently the market demand is increasing again after the COVID-19 cases in DKI Jakarta decreased.

Yahya said wallet demand increased by an average of 100 points from the previous 30 points/week. Craftsmen, he said, are now able to serve market demand by employing employees who had been at home.

"For the past three weeks, we have supplied 100 points of wallet production to the Monday market from 30 points", he said.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Lebak Regency Cooperatives and SMEs Office, Omas Irawan, said that currently, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) continue to grow in the midst of the pandemic.

Currently, he said, the number of MSME actors reached 51,680 units which opened up tens of thousands of job opportunities. In fact, he said, previously there were 49,000 MSME business units, including wallet craftsmen.

"We encourage MSME players to continue to improve their quality and quality, so they can compete in the market", he said.