Currently, the creative economy (Ekraf), including art actors in it, is one of the economic forces in IndonesiaJakarta (ANTARA) - Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Minister Teten Masduki in a statement on Wednesday.pressed for preparedness from art actors, such as those from visual arts, performance, animation, and film circles, to enter the digital market.
This step aims to make the most of the value of Indonesia's digital economy that is projected to reach Rp5,400 trillion in 2030.
"Currently, the creative economy (Ekraf), including art actors in it, is one of the economic forces in Indonesia," he said in Yogyakarta, Central Java.
Based on data from Statistics Indonesia in 2017, creative economic growth had reached 5.06 percent, with a contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) reaching 7.24 percent.
Overall, the projected GDP of the creative economy will reach Rp1,274 trillion in 2021.
"We have entered the digital era, and now, there are Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) that can be used by fellow artists," the minister stated.
Furthermore, the presence of digital technology makes lifestyles around the world almost uniform.
"Those who have strong penetration to access the world's lifestyles must be able to determine whether they want to be followers or trend setters," he stated.
According to Masduki, actors of creative economy must have the ability to create a strong narrative about art activities in the digital ecosystem, considering that each country is looking for its own domestic advantages.
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In Indonesia, the minister considers the arts and culture sector to be a domestic flagship that can be strengthened.
He expressed optimism that art in the country would continue to grow, so that it has an impact on the nation's economy.
"All world institutions predict that Indonesia will rank among the top five countries in the world in 2045 after America, China, and India. We have to prepare the mentality of developed countries, no longer inlander, no longer inferior, but must be ready to become developed countries," he stated.
The creative economy products' trade balance registered a 60-percent surplus in the first quarter (Q1) of 2022 despite a spike in COVID-19 cases during the period, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno ealier noted.
"The largest export destinations were the United States of America (USA), Switzerland, and Singapore," he stated during a working meeting with Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) on Monday.
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According to data presented by the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry at the working meeting, the export value of creative economy products to the US was recorded at US$3.31 billion (Rp49.75 trillion), or 37.78 percent.
Meanwhile, the export value to Switzerland and Singapore had been recorded at US$1.09 billion (Rp16.38 trillion), or 13.19 percent, and US$384.13 million (Rp5.77 trillion), or 4.63 percent
The minister noted that in the first quarter of 2022, the exports of creative economy products grew 56.16 percent, which was better than the average national exports that increased by 35.25 percent.
Fashion products contributed the most to exports, valued at around US$4.68 billion (Rp70.34 trillion), or 56.53 percent of the total export value.
Crafts emerged as the second-largest contributor to the export value, recorded at 38.05 percent, or US$3.15 billion (Rp47.35 trillion).
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Translator: M Baqir, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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