Jakarta, June 12, 2025 – Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, outlined the Ministry’s strategies, achievements, and targets for the next five years as a keynote speaker at a thematic session of the International Conference on Infrastructure (ICI) at the JICC Plenary Hall on Thursday, June 12, 2025. These three aspects are expected to strengthen creative economy infrastructure, transform access to education, and expand opportunities for high-quality employment.
“A collaborative ecosystem built on infrastructure, education, and the creative economy can work hand in hand as pillars of national economic growth. We believe that the future of Indonesia’s creative economy will grow from a solid foundation of infrastructure, supported by skilled talent and an inclusive ecosystem,” said Minister Teuku Riefky during the session titled “Enabling Innovation: Developing Infrastructure for Education and Creative Economy.”
The session focused on efforts to develop the education sector and enhance the resilience of the creative economy to improve people’s quality of life.
Minister Teuku Riefky emphasized that the flagship programs under ASTA EKRAF always prioritize strengthening the capacity of creative economy talents through initiatives that build skills, enhance added value, foster new technological capabilities, consolidate content creator ecosystems, develop talent, and expand creative spaces.
“One of our main strategies is expanding Special Economic Zones (SEZs), such as Nongsa in Batam and Singhasari in East Java, which focus on the animation subsector,” Minister Teuku Riefky added.
He also highlighted the role of educational institutions, particularly vocational high schools (SMK), in improving human resource quality. Through memoranda of understanding with academic institutions and private sector partners, the Ministry of Creative Economy aligns with the Tridharma Perguruan Tinggi (three pillars of higher education) so that the creative economy can focus on education, research, and community empowerment.
“Creative economy infrastructure is closely linked with education and talent development. Physical spaces provide hands-on learning and entrepreneurship opportunities that support talent and innovation across various subsectors of the creative economy. We have also initiated a creative economy higher education consortium to connect talent by visiting schools and engaging directly with students, such as at SMK Raden Umar Said Kudus, SMK NU Banat Kudus, SMK 2 Singhasari Malang, and SMK 2 PGRI Kudus,” explained Minister Teuku Riefky.
After Minister Teuku Riefky’s presentation, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto addressed the challenges of positioning universities as sources of research and innovation for the creative industry.
“We must aim for economic growth above 8% by building human resource capacity that emphasizes education, innovation, and research. The nation’s condition will depend heavily on how well we understand and create science and technology that is beneficial for society,” said Minister Brian.
Following the two keynote addresses, the conference continued with a panel discussion moderated by Gupta Sitorus of the Indonesian Culinary Council (Dewan Kuliner Indonesia). The panel featured four distinguished women: Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Stella Christie; Director General of Strategic Infrastructure at the Ministry of Public Works, Maulidya Indah Junica; Founder of Sekolah Cikal, Najelaa Shihab; and Principal Education Specialist at ADB, Yumiko Yamakawa. The discussion explored in greater depth how infrastructure, education, and the creative economy can open wider opportunities for talent development, entrepreneurship, and innovation, contributing to Indonesia’s creative economy.
Accompanying Minister Teuku Riefky were Deputy for Strategic Development of Creative Economy, Cecep Rukendi; Special Staff to the Minister for Strategic Issues and Inter-Agency Affairs, Rian Firmansyah; Special Staff to the Minister for Communication, Media, and Public Services, Renanda Bachtar; and Director for Infrastructure Facilitation, Fahmy Akmal.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency
