I highly laud the Wayag Youth Festival to boost the Indonesian creative industry as well as instill a sense of pride in our youth to create works reflecting the Indonesian style, identity, and culture, so we will be different from foreign content.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto has pushed for the optimum growth of Indonesia's creative industry, including through the Wayang (Puppet) Youth Festival.

"I highly laud the Wayag Youth Festival to boost the Indonesian creative industry as well as instill a sense of pride in our youth to create works reflecting the Indonesian style, identity, and culture, so we will be different from foreign content," Hartarto noted in a written statement released on Saturday.

Moreover, UNESCO has recognized the Indonesian puppet show as an remarkable cultural heritage in the world, so the nation must continue to promote and preserve it, he affirmed.

The Indonesian culture-based creative industry has advantages in the domestic market, so it offers opportunities for youth to present creative content and derive economic benefits, he remarked.

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However, creative industry players must also be prepared to compete in the domestic market due to the gluts of foreign content, he affirmed.

"We must be able to face this identity and cultural crisis as a result of massive foreign cultural content that still dominates Indonesia through a variety of creative contents produced by our children," he pointed out.

The government will always remain consistent in supporting growth of the creative industry and transforming it into one of the sectors capable of supporting the national economic growth, he emphasized.

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With focus on human resources, the government has initiated various programs, including pre-employment cards, digital talent scholarships, and digital literacy national movement.

In addition, the government has encouraged digital infrastructure programs, including development of the Palapa Ring fiber optic networks; BTS towers; internet network in backward, least developed villages; expansion of 4G areas; development of 5G system; and launch of the SATRIA multi-function satellite.

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Translator: Sanya Dinda S, Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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