Jakarta, April 11, 2025 — Minister of Creative Economy/Head of Creative Economy Agency Teuku Riefky Harsya welcomed North Sulawesi Governor, Major General (Ret.) Yulius Selvanus, at the Menara Merdeka Building in Jakarta on Friday, April 11, 2025.
Menekraf Teuku Riefky terima audiensi Gubernur Sulut Yulius Selvanus bahas potensi ekonomi kreatif di Sulawesi Utara sangat besar dan perlu perhatian khusus, Jakarta, Jumat (11/04/2025).
During the meeting, Minister Teuku Riefky stressed that North Sulawesi has enormous creative economy potential that requires special attention. He highlighted President Prabowo Subianto’s mandate to maximize regional potential, noting that national economic growth is now largely driven by regional strength.
“Tourism and the creative economy are closely linked in driving regional economic growth, supported by local culture, creative economy subsectors, and MSMEs. The distinction is that culture is something to be preserved, while the creative economy is commercialized, carries intellectual property rights, and is enriched with technological innovation. This is what differentiates the creative economy from MSMEs,” Minister Teuku Riefky explained.
He added that creative economy products must be developed with a focus on reaching global markets, leveraging the key subsectors in each region. For that reason, the presence of regional creative economy agencies is crucial.
According to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) processed by the Ministry of Creative Economy, creative economy employment grew by 8.4% between 2020 and 2024. Furthermore, the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) targets an increase in creative economy workers from 26.77 million to 27.77 million over the next five years. Minister Teuku Riefky stated that this target can be achieved if regions establish dedicated agencies or units for the creative economy.
“We are not mandating the creation of entirely new agencies, but we do hope for a specific nomenclature within existing structures to ensure better budgeting and support,” he said.
Governor Yulius expressed gratitude for the opportunity to discuss directly with the ministry, saying the guidance provided would serve as an important reference for North Sulawesi’s efforts to form a Creative Economy Office.
Communications Bureau Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency
“We realize that the creative economy has the potential to drive the national economy, especially since more than 50 percent of young people are actively involved in it. North Sulawesi has strong potential in this sector, from culinary specialties such as tinutuan and cakalang fufu to culturally rich arts and crafts,” Yulius noted.
He added that the provincial government’s first step will be to restructure its organization to focus more on the creative economy, which is now separate from tourism affairs.
“We will align with existing regulations. With the support and guidance of the Ministry of Creative Economy, we are optimistic about moving quickly and taking concrete action,” Yulius said.
Minister Teuku Riefky expressed hope that collaboration between central and regional governments would grow stronger, ensuring that the creative economy receives the recognition it deserves as a strategic sector.
“We want the creative economy to have its own platform so that creative economy players in the regions receive greater attention and support,” Minister Teuku Riefky concluded.
Minister Teuku Riefky was accompanied by Secretary of the Ministry of Creative Economy Dessy Ruhati, Deputy for Creative Economy Strategic Development Cecep Rukendi, and Special Staff for Strategic Issues and Inter-Agency Affairs Rian Syaf. Governor Yulius was joined by senior regional officials, including Assistant for Economy and Development Tahlis Galang; North Sulawesi Tourism Office Head Kartika Devi Tanos, MARS; Tomohon City Tourism Office Head Juddhistira Siwu; Manado City Tourism Office Head Esther Mamangkey; Bitung City Tourism Office Head Pingkan Kapoh, MAP; North Minahasa Regency Tourism Office Head Femmy Pangkerego; Minahasa Regency Tourism Office Head Fenty Lapian; North Sulawesi Education Office Head Femmy Suluh; and North Sulawesi Industry and Trade Office Head Daniel A. Mewengkang.
Communications Bureau Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency
Under the leadership of Minister Teuku Riefky Harsya, the Ministry of Creative Economy is targeting the creation of 27 million jobs over the next five years, with a focus on quality employment for young people.
Assisted by Deputy Minister Irene Umar, Minister Teuku Riefky is driving the development of 17 creative economy subsectors to realize the Prabowo–Gibran administration’s vision, particularly Asta Cita Goal #3: creating quality jobs, encouraging entrepreneurship, and developing the creative industry.
Through strengthening the creative economy ecosystem using a hexahelix approach, Ministry of Creative Economy is expected to become the new engine of growth for Indonesia’s economy, starting from the regions.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of Communications Bureau
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
