Batik should be our economic symbol because batik is a cultural inheritance from our ancestors.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno has said that he hopes to see batik become a symbol of Indonesia's economic recovery in the creative economy sector, especially the fashion sub-sector.

"Batik should be our economic symbol because batik is a cultural heritage from our ancestors," he said in a statement released here on Monday.

"Indonesia is also one of the countries that are rich with extraordinary cultural potential. This becomes a very valuable capital for the development of the nation's creative economy," he added.

While attending the 'Batik Celebration-Rediscover Indonesia by Accor Live Limitless' event in Yogyakarta, Uno lauded Accor Group for organizing the event that was attended by representatives from the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector.

The event was also held to commemorate National Batik Day 2021 that prioritizes four pillars: destination, culinary, art, and health, the organizers said.

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The event was also a continuation of the collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy with Accor Group that has been in place since 2012, they added.

Uno said that he had observed the batik exhibition and products made by MSMEs under the mentorship of Accor and We Creative Youth (a Unesco Citi Indonesia collaboration program supported by CitiFoundation), and watched the batik fashion show in Yogyakarta.

"I hope the presence of this event will not only preserve our culture but also act as an economic mover and create jobs," he remarked.

He also said he expects the event will encourage the recovery of the tourism and creative economy so that it can drive the economy, especially amid the ongoing pandemic.

"The pandemic is not yet over. I will not be bored of reminding to apply strict health protocol. The pandemic may limit our mobility, but it will never limit our creativity," he remarked.

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Translator: M Baqir Alatas, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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