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ozens of the 4,710 traders displaced by the blaze that ravaged the Johar and Yaik markets in Semarang, Central Java, have opened temporary kiosks, but business is slow.

The modest kiosks, located on Jl. Agus Salim, are separated by wooden beams and were made available by the government following the blaze.

Still, only a small number traders in areas fruit, fabric, watches, foodstuffs, kitchen utensils, books and clothing have moved in. No large-scale traders have moved in.

'€œI haven'€™t received any customers as of this noon. It'€™s quiet, as customers are not yet aware of where to find watches,'€ said Joko, a watch trader, over the weekend. Before, the watch center was on the first floor, at the northern end. Now, the location of various goods is jumbled, confusing customers. '€œThis is due to the lottery system,'€ Joko said, adding that on a good day he could earn up to Rp 1 million (about US$77).

Joko said he had to carry his wares home every day after closing down the shop, and bring them all back in the morning. '€œBefore, I placed my wares in a box in my kiosk. Half of my goods were destroyed by the fire,'€ Joko said.

He added that the temporary kiosks should be arranged based on the types of goods sold, with different sections for textiles, watches and fruit.

'€œThis would avoid confusion among customers. We traders want to sell our wares more effectively. Perhaps there should be a meeting with leaders to discuss the matter,'€ said Joko.

Another seller, Lestari, who sells draperies, said her business was down too.

'€œWhat else can we do? It is a tragedy but we must start from scratch. I'€™ve been selling in the market for 11 years. Fortunately, we have established a good rapport with our suppliers, so we trust each other and then we can sell again,'€ she said.

Agung, another trader, said kiosk operators had just replenished stocks of goods ahead of the Ramadan holiday before the fire.

'€œWe expected to gain extra profits ahead of Idul Fitri, but the fire destroyed our stocks. Like it or not, we have to recover,'€ he recover.

The Semarang city administration is currently preparing to relocate traders from the temporary kiosks on Jl. Agus Salim to a 10-hectare site near the Central Java Grand Mosque on Jl. Gajah. The traders are expected to be relocated after Idul Fitri.

Vendors said they were unaware that the Financial Services Authority (OJK) had asked banks and the People'€™s Credit Bank (BPR) to provide them with loans.

'€œIs that true? It'€™s in the media. We have yet to receive a notice from the bank or from our group leader,'€ Agung said.