I

ndonesia's domestic trade under the new administration will be subject to an overhaul with a strong emphasis on the revitalization of traditional markets and a streamlining of the supply chain.

Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said in a statement Friday that stronger and more efficient domestic trade was a key to improve the country's global competitiveness.

"Apart from its role as an indicator of domestic market stability, the traditional market provides millions of jobs in the informal sector. It also serves the public as a place for social interaction," she said.

The trade ministry, in collaboration with regional governments, will expand the existing traditional market revitalization program, she said. The revitalization will focus on improving infrastructure so as to make traditional markets cleaner and more convenient, while keeping them as the best place for consumers to get a good bargain.

In the past five years, the government has only managed to improve the infrastructure of 473 out of an estimated total of 13,450 traditional markets in the country.

In Jakarta, where traditional markets are competing with modern big retailers such as Carrefour and Giant, as many as 59 traditional markets will have improved infrastructure by the end of 2010.

To further expand services, it is planned that some traditional markets in the city will be integrated with public facilities. Blora market in Dukuh Atas, for example, will be integrated with the operation of the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) station.

The ministry has also targeted to streamline the supply chain from the producers of local commodities to market by cutting down on ineffective and complicated distribution chains involving too many brokers and middle-men.

As it did in the past five years, the trade ministry will remain focused on safeguarding the prices of staple foods and expects to develop related new policies on sugar and fertilizer exports and imports.

Speaking to reporters after a Ca-binet meeting on Friday, Mari said she was optimistic that the value of Indonesia's exports in 2010 would increase by five percent after suffering the 20 percent drop expected by the end of this year, given global conditions.

"Non-oil and gas exports, are expected to fall between 10 percent and 15 percent *this year*," she told the press.

She said that she would coordinate with the industry ministry on agreed ideas to simplify and minimize overlapping regulations.