Indonesia encourages villages to tap creative economy potential

..digital technology skills, social media, and AI were becoming increasingly important in helping creative economy players adapt and expand the market..

Wonosobo (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Creative Economy Minister/Head of the Creative Economy Agency Teuku Riefky Harsya has encouraged villages to develop their potential as new sources of creative economy growth.

Speaking in Wonosobo District, Central Java, on Sunday, Riefky said the initiative aimed to optimize local cultural assets, community creativity, and digital technology to expand business opportunities.

He expressed support for promoting economic growth through creative villages, including Kadipaten Village in Selomerto Subdistrict.

Riefky visited the village to observe its potential and the development of its local creative economy.

The program included discussions on community-based creative village development and training on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to support local businesses.

Efforts to strengthen the creative economy also featured a performing arts showcase, with dance performers collaborating with musicians playing the traditional bundengan instrument.

Residents also held a dialogue to explore the potential and challenges of developing the creative economy at the village level.

Riefky said villages' cultural and historical wealth could generate economic value if developed through innovation, creativity, and technology.

Wonosobo District Head Afif Nurhidayat said the local administration and the Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) continued to encourage the development of local potential, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), arts, and culture.

He said digital technology skills, social media, and AI were becoming increasingly important in helping creative economy players adapt and expand the market reach of their products.

Nurhidayat expressed hope that the creative village initiative would extend beyond Kadipaten and be replicated in other villages. The local administration hoped that mentoring, training, and capacity-building programs for business players would help turn local arts and cultural potential into competitive creative industry products.

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Translator: Bayu Prasetyo
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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