TBM Staff - Mumbai
Indonesia has highlighted the importance of the “creative economy” by establishing a Ministry for the Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries. Manish Chand interviewed Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, in Jakarta to discuss potential collaboration between India and Indonesia in this emerging field. Minister Uno emphasised the cultural similarities between the two nations and advocated for the creation of joint creative hubs to fully harness the creative economy’s potential. He also sees the upcoming World Conference on Creative Economy in Tashkent as pivotal for fostering global partnerships and innovation.
Indonesia is one of the few countries with a dedicated Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. Minister Uno highlighted that the creative economy contributes about 8% of Indonesia’s GDP and employs around 25 million people, or over 10% of the workforce. The sector includes industries like culinary arts, creative design, fashion, handicrafts, music, film, animation, and games, and it is growing at nearly twice the rate of the overall economy. The ministry focuses on policy-making, training, promotion, and providing access to funding for the nearly 60 million creative economy micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country.
Regarding collaboration between India and Indonesia, Minister Uno sees vast potential due to their vibrant creative and cultural industries. He noted that India now ranks second in international tourist arrivals in Bali, reflecting deep cultural ties. Both countries have strong emphases on science, technology, and cultural heritage, which could benefit from infrastructure improvements and increased access to financing. Minister Uno suggested developing joint creative hubs to foster collaboration and participation in the sustainable global supply chain, enhancing the creative workforce’s competitiveness.
To address connectivity challenges, Minister Uno mentioned efforts to establish more direct flights between Indian cities and major economic centers in Indonesia, such as Delhi-Jakarta and Mumbai-Denpasar. Other potential routes include Chennai-Kualanamu and connections to Lake Toba. The ministry is also leveraging hubs in Vietnam, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and exploring links through Bangkok as part of the ASEAN single-destination concept. He noted the growing popularity of Bollywood and Indian weddings in Bali and the potential for Indonesian movies to succeed in India, advocating for integration across diverse creative sectors to create a thriving industry.
The World Conference on Creative Economy in Tashkent aims to emphasise peace and harmony amid global tensions. Minister Uno stressed that the creative economy drives the next phase of the global economy and is essential for cultural exchange, promoting understanding, respect, social inclusion, and conflict resolution. He believes that despite differences, countries can unite around creativity and innovation, with music, literature, and film fostering empathy and unity.
