Jakarta, 28 August 2025 – The Ministry of Creative Economy is set to accelerate creative economy growth in Yapen Islands, Papua, through two strategic initiatives: empowering Merah Putih Cooperatives as drivers of marketing and developing local music talent to gain national exposure. This effort aligns with the government’s priority to strengthen Papua as one of the core regions for economic development.
Menteri Ekonomi Kreatif, Teuku Riefky Harsya, menerima audiensi dengan Bupati Kabupaten Kepulauan Yapen, Jakarta, Kamis (28/08/2025).
“Papua is one of 15 priority provinces designated by the President for economic reinforcement within the next five years. We can increase this potential through training programs for content creators and affiliates within village cooperatives, enabling creative products such as culinary specialties based on natural resources to be marketed beyond districts and provinces. This is also in line with the cooperation we have established with the Ministry of Cooperatives,” said Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky in a meeting with Yapen Islands Regent Benyamin Arisoy on Thursday, 28 August, in Cipete, Jakarta.
The Minister of Creative Economy also highlighted the significant opportunity to accelerate the music sector in Papua, particularly in Yapen Islands. He emphasized the role of the Ministry of Creative Economy as an accelerant and facilitator to help local musicians achieve national and global recognition, ultimately contributing to broader economic development beginning at the regional level.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
“In Merauke, we curated dozens of new singers and selected six top talents who were then supported to produce music videos with local videographers. A similar program, such as ‘Music Creative Acceleration’, could be implemented in Yapen so that music becomes not only a form of cultural expression but also a new economic strength for the region,” explained Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky.
Yapen Islands Regent Benyamin Arisoy expressed support for the ministry’s initiative in elevating local musical potential. He noted that this effort aligns with the region’s creative economy development agenda, particularly in the music subsector.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
“Music is one of the creative subsectors we prioritize as it is part of Papua’s cultural identity. In Yapen Islands, 15 music groups are actively producing original works. The Ministry’s support will significantly enhance this potential so that Yapen’s music can grow into a regional economic strength and gain wider recognition,” said Regent Benyamin.
Yapen Islands Regency is part of Papua Province with its capital in Serui City. The regency was formed from the administrative division of Yapen Waropen Regency and encompasses approximately 7,146 square kilometers of land and sea.
Yapen has major potential for developing a creative economy grounded in local wisdom, ranging from culinary products and crafts based on marine and forest materials, traditional fashion and music, to film, animation, and ecotourism that capitalizes on the region’s unspoiled coastal and natural landscapes.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
The Ministry of Creative Economy continues strengthening creative economy ecosystems in regions across Indonesia. Collaborative explorations with Yapen Islands Regency align with the government’s vision of positioning the creative economy as the new engine of growth—encouraging local creations rooted in culture to scale up, compete globally, and contribute meaningfully to national economic progress.
Also attending the meeting were the Ministry’s Deputy Secretary for Media Creativity, Bulqis Chairina, along with Yapen Islands Head of Public Works and Housing Department, Jumirto Dwi Bongga.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of Communications Bureau
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
