Danamon Peduli believes that traditional market is one of the pillars of the economy and welfare of Indonesian people. Currently, there are 13.450 traditional markets with 12.650.000 vendors (APKASI).  If we count their families, there will be approximately 50 million or 25% of Indonesian people are dependent on traditional markets for their livelihood.  The conditions of health and hygiene of traditional markets are very poor, which drive customers to shop in modern retails rather than traditional markets.

According to AC Nielsen's survey, from 2004 to 2006, traditional market's growth declined by -8,1%, while on the other hand, modern market's growth increased by 31,4%. To survive, traditional markets have to improve their cleanliness, hygiene and convenience.  Otherwise, the jobs of more than 12 million small entrepreneurs will be at risk.

Revitalizing Traditional Markets: Reviving Local Economy

As a member of traditional market community, Danamon Simpan Pinjam/Self Employed Mass Market  (SEMM) cares that the improvements of cleanliness, hygiene and convenience of traditional markets will enhance the markets' competitiveness.  SEMM branches with their 8.000 employees cover 1.500 markets all over the country.  The employees play dual functions  as professional bankers and caring members of society -  and play important roles as Danamon Peduli volunteers in conducting 'My Clean, Healthy, Prosperous Market' program.

Through this program, we attempt to revitalize traditional markets in Indonesia by directly contributing to the cleanliness and hygiene conditions of traditional markets.  In 2008, Danamon Peduli Foundation and SEMM branches have successfully conducted 1.114 activities in 28 provinces, involving 9.763 volunteers, touching 677.659 beneficiaries. A total donation of Rp.6.059.491.743,- was disbursed to finance the following:

• Garbage collection equipments in 425 markets.
• Fogging and free medical check-ups in 153 markets.
• Public toilets renovation in 113 markets.
• Repainting and tree planting in 159 markets.
• Small-scale infrastructure developments, including roof repair, market zoning, drainage system improvement, access road paving, and providing information board in 247 markets.

The First National Clean Market Day

On July 19, 2008, 'My Clean, Healthy, Prosperous Market' was conducted simultaneously in 717 traditional markets across Indonesia in one day. With this nationwide initiative, Danamon Peduli and SEMM set the National Record Museum of Indonesia (MURI) as “Initiators and Organizers of Improvement Activity on Traditional Markets with Largest Numbers 717 Markets”.   Danamon Peduli also conducted clean market competition in 40 markets of 18 kabupatens in Central Java, East Java, Bitung (North Sulawesi), and Bone (South Sulawesi).

The event was named as the first “National Clean Market Day” and was inaugurated by the Minister of Trade.   This national event aimed at raising the awareness of private sector, government, and communities of the importance of building a sustainable economy by developing cleaner, healthier, more convenient, hence, more prosperous traditional markets. Moreover, Danamon Peduli and Department of Trade also launched educational video “Towards Modern Traditional Markets” containing best practice of traditional market management.   It is expected that better managed traditional markets will be able to compete with modern retails.