Minister Basuki: Provision Of Kiosks In Rest Area Toll Roads Help Development Of MSMEs

Rest Area (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) encourages all toll road managers as well as rest and service places (TIP) or rest areas to be able to provide economic benefits to the community.

"The presence of rest areas is also encouraged to be able to provide real economic benefits for the economy of the local community, through providing kiosks for MSMEs to promote local products and culinary delights," said PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono in a press release, on Monday, October 23.

Meanwhile, Sudirman's Expert Team/Expert on the Sustainable Toll Road Assessment (JTB) said, in order for MSMEs on toll roads to increase, every toll road and rest area manager must be able to innovate to attract road users to come to rest areas.

"These various innovations can be carried out through cooperation with the surrounding community, such as holding a number of events and entertainment in the rest area," he said.

Sudirman said, together with the community such as local artists, toll road rest area managers can arrange routine annual agendas with various unique and interesting regional events that attract visitors.

"With more visitors, automatically MSMEs selling in the toll road rest area will be helped to increase sales," he said.

The manager of the rest area of the former Banjaratma sugar factory at KM 260 B Pemalang-Pejagan Toll Road, Dina Yonanda, said that as one of the iconic TIPs with cultural heritage buildings, the place currently houses more than 70 percent of MSMEs from the total existing stores.

Based on the latest data, there are 569 residents of Brebes Regency who work and sell at the TIP. "Our enthusiasm is to continue to help these residents in making a living. Thank you for the various inputs for our innovation in the future," he added.