"President Prabowo, through the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN), has designated 15 priority provinces for creative economy development, one of which is West Sumatra," Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya stated in Padang City on Saturday.
Harsya was in Padango for a working visit, which included attending the National Working Meeting (Rakornas) of the Indonesia Creative City Network (ICCN).
He explained that designating West Sumatra, along with other provinces, as a priority for creative economy development over the next five years was based on careful study and consideration.
West Sumatra and other provinces are considered to have strong potential to develop the creative economy as a pillar of economic growth in the country, especially over the next five years.
The minister noted that regions with strong cultural roots, when combined with innovation and digital technology, can develop a creative economy.
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"Hence, we see an opportunity for West Sumatra to make the creative industry one of its regional economic engines," he remarked.
Nevertheless, he emphasized the importance of creative economy entrepreneurs, local governments, and other parties paying attention to the quality of their products. Penetrating the global market requires meeting multiple standards, with quality being a key factor.
"For West Sumatra's creative economy products to compete internationally, collaboration with local governments, ICCN, industry associations, and others is needed," he stated.
He further emphasized the role of universities and mass media in ensuring that various creative economy products can gain global recognition.
Indonesia has five cities recognized as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN): Pekalongan (City of Crafts and Folk Art), Bandung (City of Design), Ambon (City of Music), Jakarta (City of Literature), and Surakarta (City of Crafts and Folk Art).
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Translator: Arie Novarina
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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