Jakarta, August 20, 2026 – The Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency (Ekraf) is strengthening cross-sector collaboration by supporting Karya Kreatif Indonesia (KKI) 2026, organized by Bank Indonesia (BI). KKI 2026 features more than 550 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with Aceh highlighted as the event’s thematic province showcasing a diverse range of leading products.
Minister of Creative Economy/Head of the Creative Economy Agency (Ekraf), Teuku Riefky Harsya, attended the Karya Kreatif Indonesia (KKI) 2026 event at the Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC), Thursday (August 20, 2026).
“The Ministry of Creative Economy appreciates Bank Indonesia’s continued efforts through Karya Kreatif Indonesia, which has consistently served as an important platform for the growth of the creative economy. Creative products are not only developed at the regional level, but can also be elevated to the national level and ultimately through global collaboration. This is in line with the Ministry of Creative Economy’s Creative by Indonesia program, which seeks to develop local heroes into national champions and help national champions go global,” said the Minister of Creative Economy after opening KKI 2026 at the Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC), Thursday (August 20).
Carrying the theme Strengthening Synergy to Encourage MSMEs to Rise, Become Resilient, and More Competitive, KKI 2026 takes place from August 20–23 at Hall A and Hall B of JICC. This year’s event carries the tagline #BeudayaMeusareSare, rooted in the Acehnese language and conveying the spirit of empowerment through togetherness. The message aligns with the Ministry of Creative Economy’s vision of accelerating the growth of creative economy players across subsectors so they can become more productive, independent, and competitive through a collaborative and inclusive ecosystem.
“The Ministry of Creative Economy sees that young talents from various regions must continue to be encouraged to develop their capabilities, particularly in product quality and adapting to digitalization. By utilizing digital platforms, contemporary creative products can gain wider market access. In this way, creative economy players can not only become hosts in their own country, but also go global. Therefore, I invite the public to attend KKI and see the work of our nation’s creative talents,” said the Minister of Creative Economy.
Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
BPS data for 2025 recorded 27.4 million workers in Indonesia’s creative economy sector, with 63 percent consisting of Generation Z and millennials. Meanwhile, the culinary, fashion, and crafts subsectors remained the largest contributors to the Creative Economy’s GDP, with a combined contribution of 66.53 percent in 2025. Total exports of creative economy goods reached US$9.99 billion during January–April 2026, with the fashion subsector accounting for approximately 58.55 percent.
Acting Governor of Bank Indonesia, Destry Damayanti, explained in her remarks that this year marks the 11th edition of KKI, organized through collaboration among 27 ministries and institutions and 34 strategic partners. Over the past decade, KKI has contributed to strengthening MSMEs through product curation, digitalization, expanded access to national and global markets, and access to financing.
“We need to strengthen synergy to maintain national economic growth so that it remains resilient and sustainable. MSMEs are a pillar of the national economy, absorbing 97 percent of the workforce and contributing more than 60 percent to national GDP. We will continue to encourage synergy so that MSMEs can move up the value chain and continue to create employment optimally,” said Destry Damayanti.
Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
The opening of KKI 2026 featured a choir dressed in traditional Acehnese attire and a creative fashion showcase by designer Sapto Djojokartiko, presenting 23 ready-to-wear looks. The Minister of Creative Economy also visited several exhibition areas, including the Ministry of Creative Economy’s booth featuring three supported brands—Agni, Lusee, and Da’poza—as well as the booths of Bank Indonesia’s regional representative offices in Aceh, Lhokseumawe, and North Sumatra, including Toba Tenun.
Over the four-day event, visitors to KKI 2026 can take part in 44 inspirational activities, including national seminars and thematic talk shows, the Cangkir Nusantara competition and Barista Championship, a Wastra Creative Works showcase, Business Meetings and PINISI Synergy sessions, as well as creative and entertainment stages featuring prominent musicians such as Juicy Luicy and Bilal Indrajaya.
Also attending the opening of KKI 2026 were Chairperson of Dekranas Selvi Gibran Rakabuming; Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono; Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana; Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners of the Financial Services Authority (OJK), Friderica Widyasari Dewi; Deputy Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri; Member of the Board of Commissioners of the Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS), Doddy Zulverdi; Deputy Chairperson of Commission VII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Rahayu Saraswati; and representatives from 46 Bank Indonesia offices across Indonesia.
The Minister of Creative Economy was accompanied by Deputy for Cultural and Design Creativity, Yuke Sri Rahayu, and Minister’s Expert Staff for Strategic and Inter-Institutional Affairs, Gemintang Kejora Mallarangeng.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Head of the Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency
