Makassar, April 23, 2025 – Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya highlighted the vast potential of South Sulawesi’s (Sulsel) creative economy, which he said needs to be further accelerated. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and empowering local creative economy potential in line with the mandate of President Prabowo Subianto.
Menekraf Teuku Riefky bertemu Gubernur Sulsel Andi Sudirman Sulaiman bahas urgensi pembentukan Dinas Ekraf demi percepatan pertumbuhan ekonomi kreatif daerah, Makassar, Rabu (23/04/2025).
Sulsel is among the 15 priority provinces for creative economy development, according to the Ministry’s designation based on data from the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas). Minister Teuku Riefky explained that the goals of this technocratic plan will only be achieved if each region contributes to the success of the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).
“President Prabowo’s vision is to make the creative economy the new engine of national economic growth, starting at the regional level. The creativity of Indonesians across various subsectors grows from the regions. South Sulawesi, as one of the 15 priority provinces, is central to this creative economy development over the next five years,” said Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky during his meeting with South Sulawesi Governor Andi Sudirman Sulaiman at Hyatt Place, Makassar, Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
Data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) in 2024 shows that 82.6 percent of the 7,465,599 unemployed in Indonesia are within the 15–39 age range. Meanwhile, the average growth of the creative economy workforce has risen steadily, recording an 8.14 percent average increase over the past five years (2020–2024).
BPS data in 2023 also indicated that creative economy workers are dominated by youth: 18.77 percent Gen Z and 38.50 percent Millennials, with the remainder being Gen X and Baby Boomers (aged 43 and above). This highlights the immense potential for Indonesia’s youth in the creative economy, provided the government supports them with quality job creation.
“We see that many young Indonesians, including in South Sulawesi, want to work in line with their passion. Therefore, we must create quality jobs, especially across the 17 creative economy subsectors,” said Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky.
He further emphasized that the Ministry cannot act alone.
“To achieve this, the Ministry of Creative Economy cannot work in isolation. There must be collaboration across provincial and regional governments. This means each region must first establish a dedicated Creative Economy Agency (Dinas Ekonomi Kreatif),” he added.
The Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky, also underscored the importance of accelerating local product development in Sulsel. He stressed that local products must be advanced through potential mapping, training and research support, and effective promotion.
“The creative economy is not about incubation but acceleration. We need a cluster-based mindset to make it more structured, so that existing local products in South Sulawesi can undergo curation, monetization, and acceleration. From there, collaborations will emerge to elevate these products to the next level,” Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky explained.
Doc. Communication Bureau of Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
Governor Andi Sudirman Sulaiman described the Minister’s direction as a vital guideline for regional governments. He expressed hope that the Ministry of Creative Economy would directly support Sulsel in developing its creative economy potential.
“We are ready to implement the Ministry’s strategic programs so that local products here can compete and meet international standards. The South Sulawesi Government continues to promote pride in Indonesian products. We seek the Ministry’s support in carrying out joint curation,” said Andi Sudirman.
“We will adjust to the nomenclature for establishing creative economy agencies, enabling regional governments to develop stronger functional units. This way, a dedicated Creative Economy Agency can focus on formulating strategic policies,” he added.
Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky was accompanied by Secretary of the Ministry/Chief Secretary Dessy Ruhati, Deputy for Digital and Technology Creativity Muhammad Neil El Himam, Director of Digital Content Yuana Rochma Astuti, and Special Staff to the Minister for Strategic and Intergovernmental Affairs Rian Syaf.
Doc. Communication Bureau of Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
Meanwhile, Governor Andi Sudirman was joined by Assistant for Economic and Development Affairs Muhammad Ichsan Nustari, Head of the Tourism Office Muhammad Arafah, Head of Industry and Trade Office Ahmadi, Head of Investment and Integrated Services Agency (PTSP) Asrul Sani, and Head of Communications and Information Office Andi Winarno.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of the Communications Bureau
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
