Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo disbursed cash assistance to street vendors and stall operators at Kebun Lada market, Binjai City, North Sumatra Province, on Friday.
According to a written statement received from the press bureau of the Presidential Secretariat in Jakarta on Friday, the cash assistance of Rp.1.2 million per person was expected to alleviate the burden on traders impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
One trader at Kebun Lada Market, Rahma, said that the assistance provided by President Widodo would be of great help to her.
She said she would use the assistance to buy more eggs to sell.
She expressed her gratitude to the President, saying apart from the cash assistance, she also received basic food assistance.
"Mr. Jokowi gave basic food items as well as cash assistance of Rp.1.2 million. We told Mr. Jokowi, 'thank you very much'; may Mr. Jokowi always be in good health, blessed with (longevity), granted with much sustenance," she remarked.
Teti Sihole, another vendor, said she was very happy with President Widodo's visit to the market.
She said she hopes that the President would return to Binjai city and visit the traders again.
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"I'm very happy. If possible, Mr. Jokowi should come often to Binjai. Thank you very much to Mr. Jokowi for helping us small merchants here," Sihole remarked.
During the visit, the President was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno, North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi, and Binjai Mayor Amir Hamzah.
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