Labuan Bajo, October 28, 2025 — The Deputy Minister of Creative Economy, Irene Umar, emphasized the importance of strengthening regional capacity to realize a restorative and sustainable economy. According to her, the concept of a restorative economy is a tangible step toward building a self-sustaining ecosystem in every region.
Wakil Menteri Ekonomi Kreatif, Irene Umar, memberi sambutan pada kegiatan Belajar Silang Lintas Sektor untuk Ekonomi Restoratif / Pertanian Regeneratif / Ekonomi Kreatif dan Inovasi Berbasis Desa dan Pemberdayaan Perempuan yang berlangsung di Kampus Bambu Komodo, Jakarta, Selasa (23/10/2025).
“From the beginning, the Ministry of Creative Economy has believed that development must start from the regions. If it can start from the village, the impact will be far stronger. Indonesia is too vast to be centralized only in major cities,” said Deputy Minister Irene while attending the Komodo Bamboo Campus event initiated by the Yayasan Bambu Lingkungan Lestari (YBLL) in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
This activity is part of the cross-sectoral synergy in supporting the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision. Deputy Minister Irene added that the principle of self-reliance must also be applied in the management of energy and natural resources by encouraging each region to identify three superior potentials that constitute local distinctiveness.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
“Food independence does not have to be on a national scale. It starts from the smallest level—from the home, village, city, to the province—before eventually becoming a national strengthm. Our country is very rich, but often we do not value our own wealth. In fact, if every region recognizes and develops its potential, that will become the new engine of growth starting from the regions—in line with the priority program outlined in the Asta Cita Ekraf,” said Deputy Minister Irene.
In a dialogue with the participants, Deputy Minister Irene also highlighted the role of women as the driving force behind households and community economics. Furthermore, Deputy Minister Irene highlighted the bamboo bicycle innovation by the local community as a symbol of cross-sector collaboration and creativity.
“A housewife is truly the Chief Executive Officer of every home. Without them, no one would manage the family, finances, and the children's future. So, self-appreciation is the first step of empowerment,” said Deputy Minister Irene.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
“We are all actors driven by social impact, but let’s not forget that income is also part of sustainability. Income is not just a number, but a reflection of the impact we create. If a product can reach more people, its social effect will also multiply,” she added.
Furthermore, Deputy Minister Irene affirmed the importance of story-nomics or narrative-based economics so that Indonesian creative products can be recognized in the global market. She also stressed the importance of mapping regional assets, which include human potential, culture, and natural resources, so that the direction of creative economy development in the regions is more targeted and impactful. She also invited all participants to make the Bamboo Campus an open dialogue space.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
“We must be able to tell our own stories. That story can only be born if we value ourselves and our environment,” she said.
“This activity is not only about bamboo products but about trust and collaboration. We need to hear directly from the community, because without understanding real issues on the field, solutions will not be created. Let us be open, collaborate, and move together,” added Deputy Minister Irene.
This activity is a concrete manifestation of the creative economy sector's contribution to strengthening the national creative ecosystem, in line with the spirit of Asta Cita Ekraf, which encourages the creation of quality jobs, strengthening regional economies, and self-reliance based on local potential.
Also present at the event were the Deputy Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Veronica Tan, Director General of Social Forestry at the Ministry of Forestry Catur Endah Prasetiani, Director of Forestry and Water Resources Conservation at Bappenas Dadang Jainan Mutaqin, Governor of East Nusa Tenggara Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, Governor of West Sumatra Mahyeldi Ansharullah, Regent of Southwest Sumba Ratu Ngadu Bonu Wulla, Regent of Lahat and General Chairman of APKASI Bursah Zarnubi, Regent of West Manggarai Edistasius Endi, Regent of East Manggarai Agas Andreas, Regent of North Central Timor Yosep Felentinus Delasalle Kebo, Vice Regent of East Sumba Yonathan Hani, and President Director of the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority Implementing Agency Dwi Marhen Yono.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
Also attending were Sr. Advisor US–ASEAN Business Council Sinta Sirait, CEO of Conservana Trading and Advisory Alexandra Bastedo, CEO of Alam Siak Lestari Musrahmad Igun, CEO of PT Tata Habitat Tujuh Achmad Zakaria, Chairman of BambuCoop Hulda Yunia Nenogasu, Chief Operating Officer of Empu Sendok Arts and Science Desi Harahap, Founder & CEO of AMATI Indonesia Viringga Kusuma, CEO of Hasjrat Abadi Edward Lonto, senior journalist of CNN Indonesia Desi Anwar, Founder & Director of Catalyze Marc-Antoine Dunais, Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Export and Sustainable Agriculture at Kadin Indonesia Lulu Paputungan, Advisor to the Yayasan Bambu Lingkungan Lestari Sarah Lery Mboeik, Head of the Secretariat of Lingkar Temu Kabupaten Lestari Ristika Putri Istanti, Program Officer of the United Nations Environment Program Riska Efriyanti, and academic Feri Amsari.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency
