VP opens renovated market in Riau Islands' Tanjungpinang

Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin inaugurated the newly renovated Encik Puan Perak Market in Tanjungpinang City, Riau Islands Province, and engaged in a dialogue with market merchants on Monday.

The renovation followed the collapse of one of the market's buildings in 2022.

"Ladies and gentlemen, now that the market has been renovated and rebuilt, how do you feel?" he asked the traders, as seen in a video broadcast on his secretariat's YouTube channel.

A coffee powder merchant told Amin that the government's revitalization project has made the oldest market in Tanjungpinang more comfortable for business.

"Praise be to God, sir, the market is very good and satisfying. We feel comfortable due to the market's peaceful atmosphere," he added.

The vice president then continued his inspection, visiting other stalls to interact with merchants and assess improvements. A woman selling asinan, a typical Indonesian pickled dish, praised the market upgrade, noting that the market floor is no longer muddy.

"(The market is) more comfortable since it is no longer muddy," she said, asking Amin to pray for the success of her business.

The vice president expressed hope that the renovation of Encik Puan Perak Market will lead to increased income for all traders.

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In March 2022, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing decided to renovate the old regional market after one of its buildings collapsed.

In collaboration with the Tanjungpinang municipal government, the ministry carried out renovations from November 2022 to December 2023, with a contract value of Rp79.6 billion (US$5.1 million).

The market now features three building blocks and can accommodate a total of 785 merchants.