"We hope such events can drive the comics industry in Indonesia."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Mari Elka Pangestu stated that there is a huge business opportunity, for the local comics industry in the domestic market.
"I urge creative youths to explore business opportunities in the national comics industry," said the Minister, in a creative products exhibition, Pekan Produk Kreatif Indonesia (PPKI) 2012, here on Thursday.
The exhibition, which is being held from November 21 to 25, has been organised by The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, in collaboration with several companies and stakeholders, at the Epicentrum Walk, Kuningan super block, in South Jakarta. The event also includes a talk on the national comics industry.
Pangestu is hopeful that the event will inspire local comic book artists to join the comics industry in Indonesia, since there are ample business opportunities in the domestic market.
"We hope such events can drive the comics industry in Indonesia," she said.
According to her, the comics industry plays an important role in the national creative industry.
"Therefore, the comics industry should collaborate with the industry of animation, advertising and movies. By doing so, local comic book artists can create growth for the comics industry, in the country," she expressed.
The Minister noted that the contribution of the creative industry to the gross domestic product (GDP) has been on the rise lately.
Based on the data released by the Ministry, the creative industry contributed as much as Rp472.8 trillion to the GDP in 2010. In addition, it created jobs for 11.49 million people.
These figures increased in 2011 to Rp526 trillion, with 11.51 million people employed in the industry.
"We expect the number to rise again this year to Rp573.4 trillion, with 11.57 million people employed in the industry," said the Minister.
(U.Y012/INE/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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