MINISTRY BOOSTS CREATIVE INDUSTRY EXPANDS EXPORTS TO SOUTH AMERICA, MIDDLE EAST

Jakarta, 28 Shawwal 1463/13 August 2015 (MINA) – Indonesia’s creative industry has become the backbone of National’s economy in terms of the nation’s income as well as in creating jobs. The industry is also expected to widen its export markets to developing countries.

“The rising exchange rate of US dollar against rupiah can be utilized by creative industry to raise the volume of exports,” said Industry Minister Saleh Husin at the opening of “Fashion Products and Accessories” exhibition at Exhibition Industry Plasa, Jakarta, Wednesday.

Moreover, foreign trade is also encouraged to be expanded from developed countries such as in Europe, Japan and the United States. Now, we could also aim our exports to rapidly developing countries or emerging markets such as South America, Africa and the Middle East, said the Minister.

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The exhibition was held in cooperation between the National Crafts Council and the Ministry of Industry. The event was attended by Mufidah Jusuf Kalla, the wife of Indonesian vice president.

The exhibition is scheduled to take place from 11 to 14 August 2015 which involves players of IKM assisted by Dekranas from various regions, such as Jakarta, Aceh, South Sumatra, Lampung, Jambi, West Java, West Kalimantan, Southeast Sulawesi, Papua, NTT and NTB by displaying various fashion craft products and accessories.

According to the Minister of Industry, in 2014 – 2015 the added value of creative economy sector is estimated to reach IDR. 111.1 trillion. The highest contributors of added value come from fashion, culinary, and craft.

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Minister of Industry continuously encourages the development of national creative industry because its growth increases about 7 percent per year. The highest growth was achieved by the craft sector with 11.81 percent growth, followed by fashion with 7.12 percent, advertising at 6.02 per cent and architecture at to 5.59 percent.

The minister believes, creative economy could become a new force in improving the national economy. “Moreover, President Joko Widodo also emphasized that now is the era of creative economy and it should be the backbone of national economy,” he said. (T/R03/NMT)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)