Jakarta – The Jakarta administration has officially opened the Jakbook book market at Kenari Market in Salemba, Central Jakarta, in a bid to provide affordable books. The book market is the first to be managed by city owned market operator PD Pasar Jaya.
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said that Jakarta residents had a lack of access to affordable books, and that the Jakbook market was expected to address this issue.
"We hope the book ecosystem in Jakarta will improve so books become cheaper," he said during the launch on Monday as reported by kompas.com.
"The purpose of this book market is to provide affordable books to the public because the factors that affect the price of books the most are the cost of rent and distribution," he added.
The book market is located on the third floor of Kenari Market, with bookstores selling education, nonfiction and fiction titles. Tables, chairs and two computers are also available to use.
Books sold at Jakbook, both local and imported titles, were 30 percent cheaper than in conventional bookstores, Anies said.
Aside from Kenari Market, the city administration also plans to set up book markets at Perumnas Klender Market in East Jakarta, Bukit Duri Market in South Jakarta, Cilincing Market in North Jakarta and Kedoya Market in West Jakarta. (sau)