"Currently, the products of the creative economy contribute 7 percent to Indonesia`s GDP. This industry will continue to grow with the support of Indonesia`s large market," Mari Elka Pangestu said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The creative industry has the potential to support Indonesia`s economy, according to Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Mari Elka Pangestu.

"Currently, the products of the creative economy contribute 7 percent to Indonesia`s GDP. This industry will continue to grow with the support of Indonesia`s large market," she said here on Friday.

"However, there are several things that need to be improved in order to develop the creative economy, namely human resources and entrepreneurs' access to finance and markets," Mari added.

The minister also pointed out that copyright issues were one of the major challenges facing the development of the creative industry in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, A Prasetyantoko, an economist from Unika Atmajaya University, stated that the creative industry had the potential to support Indonesia`s economy on the grounds of the industry's contribution to the national GDP.

"From 2002 until 2006, the creative economy sector has contributed Rp104.637 trillion to the country`s revenue and the figure is increasing," he said.

"However, the creative industry faces many challenges, such as lack of infrastructure, complicated bureaucracy, and competitiveness against other country`s creative products," Prasetyantoko added. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012