Labuan Bajo, 28 October 2025 — Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar emphasized the importance of strengthening regional capacity to realize a restorative and sustainable economy. She stated that the concept of a restorative economy is a concrete step toward building self-sustaining ecosystems 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 very beginning, the Ministry of Creative Economy has believed that development must start from the regions. If it can begin from villages, the results will be much stronger. Indonesia is too vast to be centered only on major cities,” said Deputy Minister Irene Umar during the Komodo Bamboo Campus event initiated by the Lestari Bamboo Environment Foundation (YBLL) in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, on Tuesday, 28 October 2025.
The activity forms part of cross-sectoral synergy in support of the Indonesia Gold 2045 vision. Deputy Minister Irene added that the principle of self-reliance must also be applied to energy and natural resource management by encouraging each region to identify three leading potentials that reflect local uniqueness.
Dok. Biro Komunikasi Kementerian Ekonomi Kreatif/Badan Ekonomi Kreatif.
“Food self-reliance does not have to be national in scale. It starts from the smallest level—from households, villages, cities, and provinces—before ultimately becoming national strength. Our country is extremely rich, yet we often fail to appreciate our own wealth. In fact, if each region recognizes and develops its potential, it will become the new engine of growth starting from the regions, in line with the priority programs outlined in the Asta Cita Ekraf,” said Deputy Minister Irene.
In dialogue with participants, Deputy Minister Irene also highlighted the role of women as key drivers of households and community economies. She further pointed to locally made bamboo bicycles as a symbol of cross-sector collaboration and creativity.
“Housewives are essentially the Chief Executive Officers of every household. Without them, there would be no one to manage families, finances, and children’s futures. Self-appreciation is the first step toward empowerment,” said Deputy Minister Irene.
Dok. Biro Komunikasi Kementerian Ekonomi Kreatif/Badan Ekonomi Kreatif.
“We are actors oriented toward social impact, but we must not forget that income is also part of sustainability. Income is not merely a number, but a reflection of the impact we generate. If one product reaches more people, its social impact multiplies,” she added.
Furthermore, Deputy Minister Irene underscored the importance of story-nomics, or narrative-based economy, so that Indonesian creative products can be recognized in global markets. She also stressed the need for mapping regional assets—including human potential, culture, and natural resources—so that the direction of creative economy development at the regional level becomes more focused and impactful. She invited all participants to make the Bamboo Campus an open space for dialogue.
Dok. Biro Komunikasi Kementerian Ekonomi Kreatif/Badan Ekonomi Kreatif.
“We must be able to tell our own stories. Stories can only emerge when we respect ourselves and our environment,” she said.
“This activity is not only about bamboo products, but about trust and collaboration. We need to listen directly to communities, because without understanding real challenges on the ground, solutions will not emerge. Let us remain open, collaborate, and move forward together,” Deputy Minister Irene added.
The activity represents a tangible contribution of the creative economy sector in strengthening the national creative ecosystem, aligned with the spirit of Asta Cita Ekraf in promoting quality job creation, strengthening regional economies, and fostering self-reliance based on local potential.
Also attending the event were Deputy Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection of the Republic of Indonesia 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 Chairperson 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 Agency Dwi Marhen Yono.
Dok. Biro Komunikasi Kementerian Ekonomi Kreatif/Badan Ekonomi Kreatif.
Also present were Senior Advisor of the 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; Chairperson 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; Chairperson of the Permanent Committee for Export and Sustainable Agriculture at the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Lulu Paputungan; Advisor of the Lestari Bamboo Environment Foundation Sarah Lery Mboeik; Head of the Secretariat of Lingkar Temu Kabupaten Lestari Ristika Putri Istanti; Program Officer of the United Nations Environment Programme Riska Efriyanti; and academic Feri Amsari.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of the Bureau of Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
