"We see great opportunities for future collaboration in providing halal culinary products, crafts, and modest fashion from Indonesia," the minister said while attending a dinner reception at the residence of the Saudi Arabian Ambassador, here on Friday, as quoted from the ministry's press release, Sunday.
The minister said there are many mutually beneficial collaborations between the two countries, considering the large number of Indonesian Muslims who perform the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, as well as Saudi Arabians who also enjoy halal culinary experiences in Indonesia while traveling.
"Especially since the number of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims can reach up to 36 million people annually. Therefore, we always look forward to developing better creative collaborations in the future," he noted.
Within the framework of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia's creative economy is positioned as a key pillar of diversification.
Saudi Arabia targets the cultural and creative sector to contribute up to 3 percent to the national GDP (Gross Domestic Product) while creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs.
This condition aligns with the Ministry of Creative Economy's targets in four areas: contribution to GDP, export value, workforce numbers, and investment in the creative economy sector, all leading towards the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision.
"Indonesia is home to 17 creative economy subsectors, each holding immense potential for collaboration with Saudi Arabia," said Riefky.
"This is in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision, which can be aligned for mutual benefit, where the creative economy can be utilized as a catalyst for growth," he added.
Riefky also emphasized that bilateral relations could shape economic models, technological development, and potential business expansion for the future.
He mentioned that arts, design, fashion, halal culinary, and crafts are subsectors that can be prioritized to strengthen national identity and enhance global competitiveness.
In the meantime, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Indonesia, Faisal Abdullah H. Amodi, positively welcomed the engagement with Minister Riefky to support each other and realize a more concrete collaboration in the creative economy field.
"As we know, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia are Islamic countries. We believe that the good deeds we undertake will lead to new agreements and tangible collaborations, allowing both nations to connect in realizing their respective visions," the ambassador said.
During the meeting, Minister Riefky was accompanied by the Ministry Secretary/Main Secretary Dessy Ruhati, the Deputy for Strategic Development of the Creative Economy Cecep Rukendi, the Expert Staff to the Minister for Research, Education, and Institutional Relations Dian Permanasari, and the Special Staff to the Minister for Strategic and Inter-Institutional Issues Rian Syaf.
Also present accompanying the Saudi Arabian Ambassador were the Deputy Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, Mushari Mutlaq Althiyabi; Head of the Embassy's Political and Economic Section, Ali Alharbi; Personal Assistant to the Ambassador and Head of Protocol, Isom Bobsaid; as well as the Embassy Translator, DR. Ahmad Jamaluddin.
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Reporter: Katriana
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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