Minister Of Trade Assesses Stimulus To Shopping Centers

Minister of Trade, Agus Suparmanto. (Photo: Twitter @Mendag)

JAKARTA - The government, through the Ministry of Trade, will provide assistance and assistance to retail businesses. This is because shopping centers have experienced a significant decline in sales due to the implementation of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB).

Minister of Trade Agus Suparmanto said that currently the modern shopping center has been reopened after the transition PSBB was established. He hopes that this step can move the wheels of the economy which has weakened due to the pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The joints of this struggle must go on, we must not continue to fall, one of which is opening a modern retail or shopping center by prioritizing health protocols. In accordance with the direction of the President, public safety and health must be prioritized," he said, during the IDX Channel Special Dialogue event. , Thursday, June 25th.

Agus explained, the operation of the mall cannot return to normal 100 percent yet because it is still in the transition period of the PSBB. However, if this is not done at all, the modern retail sector will suffer further.

Furthermore, Agus said, to help retail businesses survive this pandemic, the government has prepared several stimuli.

"There are several stimuli that will be issued later, which are currently in stages. Because the shopping center managers have complained about electricity consumption and we have continued to do this.

Agus emphasized that he would also fight for what retail businesses asked for so that the mall re-operation could run optimally. In addition, his party will also coordinate with other ministries to find the best solution for mall operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Yesterday I conveyed a discussion at the mall, we are discussing the elimination of this 40 hour usage with other ministries to issue this policy. Then it takes time. With the new normal situation our culture has changed but it is in the interest of our economic wheels to run so that we don't get it. sank deep, "he explained.

Avoid layoffs

According to Agus, based on current data, there have been layoffs (PHK), but this is not yet significant. Even so, he hoped, this condition would not get worse.

"This is what we have to prevent. Our shopping centers are open because now there are a lot of layoffs of around 0.5 to 6 percent, then shopping has decreased somewhat by about 30 to 40 percent," he said.

Agus said, with the reopening of the mall, the community's enthusiasm for salaries was quite high because for the past three months they had been doing activities from home, be it working, shopping and studying.

"So we have to open a little so that the current situation can return to normal in several stages," he said.