Happy Street Vendors In The People's Market Of South Buton, Receiving Direct Capital Assistance From President Joko Widodo

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) distributed working capital assistance (BMK) and basic food assistance to street vendors (PKL) and market traders at Bandar Batauga People's Market, South Buton/Via ANTARA

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) distributed working capital assistance (BMK) to street vendors (PKL) and market traders at Bandar Batauga People's Market, South Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi today. Arriving at the market, President Jokowi handed over BMK and basic food assistance to street vendors. After that, Jokowi and a limited entourage entered the market and went around to hand over aid. "Thank you Mr. Jokowi, thank you Mr. Jokowi," said market traders, as quoted from a statement from the Press, Media and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat, Antara, Tuesday, September 27. The President requested that the BMK increase the business capital of street vendors and market traders. While walking around, President Jokowi had time to buy chilies. "How much is this, ma'am?" asked the President to the traders who sell chili. "Rp. 15,000 one kilogram, sir," replied the merchant. "Resident, yes, here," said the President. Not long after, the President bought 5 kilograms (kg) and paid for it with four pieces of Rp. 50,000. "Thank you Mr. Jokowi," said the merchant while greeting the President. After handing over the aid, the President left the market to greet the residents who were waiting for him. From the market, the President and his entourage continued their journey to Betoambari Airport, Baubau City to continue their flight to Ternate City, North Maluku Province. During his working visit to Southeast Sulawesi on Tuesday, the President visited Baubau City, Buton City, and South Buton Regency. The President distributed social assistance in the three cities. Previously, the President also attended the Awarding for the Honorary State of the Sultanate of Buton "La Ode Muhammad Lakina Bhawagani Nusantara" at the Baruga Keraton Sultanate of Buton, Baubau City, Southeast Sulawesi. In Buton Regency, the President also visited the Aspal Factory PT Wika Bitumen. Jokowi encouraged Buton Regency to bounce back to become an asphalt-producing industrial area by taking advantage of the huge potential it has. "This has great potential in Southeast Sulawesi Province, namely asphalt, asphalt mining in Buton Regency, the problem is that we are imported up to approximately five million tons per year. Here production is not carried out, imports continue," said the President.