Homecoming Journeys Contribute Rp90 Trillion Turnover 

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Special Staff of the President for Economic Affairs and Development, Firmanzah, said that the homecoming journeys and society's consumption during Eid helped push economic growth, mainly at the third quarter of the year. He predicted there will be a turnover an amount of Rp90 trillion to all areas in Indonesia. "The significantly increasing number of consumers made them buy many products that come from outer regions," he told Tempo yesterday. 

According to Firmanzah, redistribution of income and the velocity of money in regions flowed in forms of zakat payment, transportation, consumption, shopping for souvenirs, to repairing houses. The high rate of turnover at the moment of homecoming will create new business sectors. "So there will be a fair distribution of economic growth," he added. 

Based on the Transportation Ministry's projection, the number of homecoming travelers for Eid 2013 will reach 30 million people. An increase of 6.7 percent compared to last year, of which around 18.09 million people used public transport. Travelers coming from Jakarta are estimated to be at around 9.7 million people, with 3.8 million people recorded to use public transport. 

Firmanzah explained that the increasing number of travelers was caused by economic stability. The growth of middle class was considered also to be the cause of rising holiday activities outside the major cities. On the other hand, improvement of the infrastructure network has contributed to the effort distribution of economic growth and investment in the region. "In turn, it will support the creation of new economic growth centers." 



ANGGA SUKMA WIJAYA | MARTHA THERTINA | FERY FIRMANSYAH