TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former businessman and vice presidential candidate Sandiaga Uno pledged to protect and revitalize traditional markets if the Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno pair were to win the presidential election in April.

"One of our programs is to protect and revitalize traditional markets and boost the development of community markets` cooperatives and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for saving our people's economic sector," he informed journalists on Saturday.

Speaking on the sidelines of his visit to Segiri Market here to meet with traders and community members, Uno noted that the Prabowo-Sandi leadership will attempt to stabilize rising and fluctuating prices of basic commodities at traditional markets.

The relatively stable prices of staple foods will later help maintain the purchasing power of the people at large and boost the people`s economic activities, Uno remarked, adding that he will also work towards driving the economy for sustainable growth in society.

In boosting sustainable growth of the people`s economy, the former Jakarta deputy governor noted that the millennials will be encouraged to become trained entrepreneurs to help create job opportunities for others.

The "OK OCE" movement for creating "One Center for Entrepreneurship" for one city and district will be pushed to boost the growth and development of SMEs and business clusters based on each of the regions` business potentials.

If the region has vast potentials in plantations, the agropreneurs will be pushed to become well-developed there, he noted.

"We are going to strengthen the village cooperatives` role in nurturing and developing the spirit of entrepreneurship among young people as part of the OK OCE movement to accelerate the economic growth of villages," he stated.

Fair economic growth will also be pushed to increase in the country to reduce economic disparity.

Hence, the Probowo-Sandi pair will allocate budgets for boosting the development of competitive sectors, such as agriculture, forestry, fishery, tourism, marine, cattle breeding, and creative industry and economy, he stated.

Uno, running mate of Chief Patron of the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Prabowo Subianto for the 2019 Presidential Election, due to be held on Apr 17, received a warm and cheerful welcome from crowds of people at the Segiri traditional market.

During Sandiaga Uno`s visit to the market, he conversed with local traders and accommodated his supporters` request to take a selfie and shake hands with him.

ANTARA