Jakarta, April 28, 2025 – Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya discussed potential collaboration in the culinary subsector with the Indonesian Catering Entrepreneurs Association (APJI). Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky emphasized the importance of exploring growth opportunities for regional culinary businesses and encouraging innovation in local cuisine.
Menekraf Teuku Riefky bahas potensi kolaborasi subsektor kuliner dengan Asosiasi Pengusaha Jasaboga Indonesia (APJI), Jakarta, Senin (28/04/2025).
“Culinary arts can serve as an effective tool of gastronomic diplomacy for the archipelago, highlighting the rich flavors and unique characteristics of each region. We also want to encourage more culinary entrepreneurs to achieve greater success at the regional and global levels. For this reason, we urgently need accurate data so that gastro-diplomacy efforts can be realized and Indonesian local cuisine can be introduced internationally,” said Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky during an audience with APJI held at Thamrin Nine, Jakarta, on Monday, April 28, 2025.
APJI is an independent organization representing entrepreneurs engaged in food service businesses such as catering, restaurants, cafés, spice producers, frozen food manufacturers, and suppliers of culinary ingredients. Established in 1984, APJI has more than 4,000 members and 26 Regional Leadership Councils across Indonesia.
Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky noted that APJI’s work aligns with the priority subsectors of the creative economy as determined by the Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (Ministry of PPN/Bappenas). Culinary arts are one of seven priority subsectors out of 17 subsectors within the creative economy. This initiative also represents a concrete step by the government to create quality job opportunities for the younger generation.
“Through a hexahelix approach, associations play a highly strategic role. Each entrepreneur under APJI’s umbrella is already contributing to creative activities, and therefore every initiative should generate added value with a principle of acceleration. We hope to align future programs because culinary arts remain a priority subsector for the creative economy,” said Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky.
Doc. Communication Bureau of Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
Deputy Minister for Cultural and Design Creativity Yuke Sri Rahayu, who also attended the audience, outlined three key points discussed between the Ministry of Creative Economy and APJI. Deputy Minister Yuke highlighted that the discussion focused on job creation and local product promotion.
“There are three main areas of cooperation discussed today: strengthening gastro-diplomacy data to open job opportunities and attract investment, training chefs to develop new menus for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program, and reviewing local product promotion for the National Culinary Day, which will be recognized as part of a national observance,” added Deputy Yuke.
APJI Chairperson Tashya Megananda Yukki expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to hold this audience with the Ministry of Creative Economy, while APJI Vice Chair for Digitalization, MICE, and Public Communication, Dessy Sagita, affirmed the organization’s readiness to share data with the ministry.
“Thank you for the opportunity to hold this meeting today. We hope to conduct more studies that will assist us as culinary entrepreneurs with strong creative selling power. We also wish to invite the Minister of Creative Economy to attend APJI’s National Working Meeting (Rakernas) on April 30, 2025, at The Sultan Hotel & Residence Jakarta,” said Tashya Megananda.
Doc. Communication Bureau of Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
“As mentioned earlier, APJI is ready to provide fairly concrete data regarding the number of culinary entrepreneurs in Indonesia so that collaboration can be strengthened and export value can be increased. We have also gathered a digital petition to make National Culinary Day an official national observance,” added Dessy Sagita.
Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky was accompanied by Director of Culinary Andy Ruswar during the audience. APJI’s delegation included Secretary General Ariguna Napitupulu, Vice Chair for Organization, Legal Affairs, and Membership Rudy Harsono, Vice Chair for Partnership and Institutional Affairs Sam Hartoto, and Chair of APJI Central Jakarta Branch Cikhita Virginia S.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
