Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Head of the Creative Economy Board popularly called as Bekraf, Triawan Munaf, said that creative economy sector can be counted on in the effort to elevate the people`s welfare, both in the national and international contexts.

"We would like to have a common ground and common understanding in the execution of the creative economy, both in Indonesia and in a global scale," he said in press conference held to welcome World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE) in Jakarta, Tuesday.

He believed that for the last six months, all elements and sub-sectors of the creative economy suddenly became popular all across Indonesia, especially since the 2018 Asian Games, believed to have been a success, in which there were strong elements of creativity in the opening and closing ceremonies.

Head of the Creative Economy Board reminded that in a number of countries, sports have long been affiliated with creative economy aspects, such as in the organization of Britain`s yearly Premier League.

Considering the popularity of the creative economy sector at the moment, Triawan Munaf expects for an achievement that could be made through the World Conference of Creative Economy.

He then hoped for all parties, including the younger generation, to make their contribution to the creative economy sector, which he believed to be the future of Indonesia, especially considering that the country have such a large and diverse population and cultures.

The WCCE, that will be attended by representatives from 50 countries, is hoped to reach a shared solution that is also sustainable, so that it is not threatened by the depletion of natural resources.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs AM Fachir stated that the conference aim to further expand the creative economy as a form of materializing the mandate of the constitution to educate and increase welfare of the people, as well as making positive contributions to the world.

Another speaker in the conference, CEO of online marketplace Tokopedia William Tanuwijaya, reminded that Indonesia have been known in the global stage for its natural resources, but Indonesia actually have an abundant of potentials from its human resources as well.

Meanwhile, musician and guitarist of Slank, Abdee Negara, said that it is time for Indonesia to host an event aimed to further promote creativity such as the WCCE.

As previously reported, the WCCE will be held in Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center in Bali from November 6 to 8, and is scheduled to be opened by President Joko Widodo and will be attended by a thousand participants from inside and outside of the country.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTD) stated that the WCCE is the first conference on creative economy in the world.

The forum is hoped to open up worldwide networks between stakeholders and business players, at the same time coming out with initiatives that will boost the expansion of creative economy as the carrier of global economy.

Bearing the theme `Inclusively Creative`, the conference will feature discussions on five main issues, including social cohesion, regulations, marketing, ecosystem and the funding of the creative industry.

A number of national and international figures have also confirmed their attendance in the event, including Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati, CEO of Tokopedia William Tanuwijaya, CEO of another online marketplace Buka Lapak Achamd Zaky, President of China Film Corporation Le Kexi, author of `Orange Economy` Felipe Buitrago Restrepo from Colombia, Vice President of Lego Corporation Peter Trilingsgraad from Denmark and CEO of BAP Production Bolanle Austen-Peters from Nigeria.

Furthermore, the Indonesian government have evidently shown its awareness towards the potentials of creative economy as the vessel that will carry national and global economic sectors to a thriving future.

Just a few days ago, delegation of Indonesia`s Creative Economy Agency (BEKRAF) had visited Cambodia on September 17-19 in the effort to encourage creative economic cooperation between the two countries.

Cooperation in the field of creative economy between Indonesia and Cambodia is considered to hold potential, according to a written statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh, received by Antara here on Saturday.

The visit was aimed to make a presentation on creative economic cooperation with Cambodian officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ministry of Economy and Finance, and Ministry of Culture and Art of Cambodia.

Additionally, Indonesian delegates had also delivered a letter of invitation to the Cambodian ministers to attend the World Conference on Creative Economy to be held on November 8-9, 2018, in Bali.

In addition, the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh has facilitated a meeting with Westec Media Ltd, the largest film content distributor company in Cambodia, which is exploring the import of Indonesian films.

The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh received information that films from Indonesia are relevant for the Cambodian market, especially those belonging to the horror genre and romantic comedy, as the two countries have cultural similarities.

The meeting, as well as the upcoming conference in Bali, are surely hoped to bring the new initiatives and open more doors of opportunities for international cooperation in the creative economy sector.

Reporting by M Razi Rahman
Editing by Aria Cindyara, Eliswan

Reporter: M Razi Rahman
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018