Community Economic Activity Ahead Of Ramadan Has Not Returned To Normal

President Joko Widodo accompanied by Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta, Heru Budi Hartono visited Tanah Abang Market, Central Jakarta on January 2, 2023. (Between/Sigid Kurniawan/aww)

JAKARTA The buying and selling activity at Tanah Abang Market, Central Jakarta on March 22, 2023 seemed crowded. Visitors packed almost every corner of the market block, especially Block A and Block B. Although the enthusiasm of the people to come to traditional markets is starting to increase, the conditions are not yet fully normal. Cannot be compared to the period before the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2017-2019, according to Ika, a Muslim clothing trader in Block A, orders have usually appeared since at least two or three months before Ramadan. Many resellers outside the area come ordering to be sold again in their area.

"But now there are at least a few. It used to be 20-30 Kodies, when the 10 Kodi pandemic was good," said Ika when contacted by VOI on March 22, 2023.

Currently, the majority of orders only come from Jabodetabek. Women's Muslim clothes are generally sold, including headscarves and mukena.

However, non-gross sales have so far remained stable. The number of buyers tends to increase ahead of Ramadan and usually continues until D-7 Lebaran or at least after THR from the company is disbursed.

"But still not as busy as before the pandemic even though it has been supported through online sales," said Ika.

The circulation of money before the pandemic in Southeast Asia's largest textile market, according to the President Director of Perumda Pasar Jaya, Arief Nasrudin can reach Rp200 billion per day. In fact, more during the moment of Ramadan and Eid. Estimated from tens of thousands of stalls in the market.

Conditions dwindled drastically when the large-scale social restrictions were imposed during the pandemic in 2020-2022.

Although it has not returned to normal, it does not mean that it has worsened. Tanah Abang Market is not the only indicator of people's economic activities. The level of people's purchasing power during the Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr as a whole is still maintained, and even tends to increase.

Last year alone, based on a report from Bank Indonesia (BI), the circulation of money at the moment of Ramadan in DKI Jakarta reached IDR 30.02 trillion. The incoming money was IDR 4.08 trillion, while the money came out of BI DKI was IDR 34.11 trillion.

Meanwhile, in Ramadan 2021, the money that came in was IDR 7.87 trillion, while IDR 34.82 trillion came out so that the circulation of money in DKI Jakarta was IDR 26.95 trillion.

This means that the circulation of money at the moment of Ramadan in DKI Jakarta in 2022 will increase by IDR 3 trillion from the same period in 2021. In 2023, Bank Indonesia also predicts that the circulation of money will increase again. Not only in the capital city, but throughout Indonesia.

So far, the government has indeed continued to make various efforts to maintain people's purchasing power through price stabilization and thickening of social protection, especially for underprivileged people.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto, ensured that the provision of social assistance would resume ahead of Eid.

The Ministry of Trade has also coordinated with local governments to ensure the availability of basic necessities during Ramadan and Lebaran 2023. Thus, price increases are not too significant and remain affordable for the community, especially low-income people.

Meanwhile, Bank Indonesia has also prepared a strategy to ensure the availability of cash. Bank Indonesia, said Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia Aida S, is ready to expand cooperation with banks throughout Indonesia to increase the exchange point.

"Especially in Jabodebek, there are 599 points or with Rp48.2 trillion in cash," Aida said as quoted by Kontan.

Also, cooperation in providing services for parawhole which requires typical retailers from March 20 to April 20, 2023. Bank Indonesia will ensure the availability of its money with banks.

"The need for cash in Ramadan and Eid this year can reach IDR 195 trillion, an increase of 8.22 percent from last year. This is in line with improving economic growth and the no longer implementation of restrictions on community activities," he added.

Like previous years, people's economic activities at the moment of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr always have a positive impact on boosting economic growth. That is why, the government needs to ensure that people's purchasing power is maintained.