KBRN, Tanjungpinang: Indonesia’s Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, officially inaugurated the Kepulauan Riau Ramadan Fair 2025 in Tanjungpinang on March 10, 2025, emphasizing the importance of cultural-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in driving economic growth. Accompanied by Riau Islands Governor Anshar Ahmad, he visited the Malay Customary Institution and the Regional National Craft Council, where he highlighted the need to expand market access for local artisans and strengthen the competitiveness of cultural products. During the opening ceremony at Lapangan Tugu Sirih, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to integrating cultural heritage with economic development, particularly through SME empowerment. The event, organized by Bank Indonesia’s Riau Islands Representative Office, features halal product certification, digital financial services, and cultural exhibitions, aligning with Indonesia’s broader strategy to support the Islamic economy. Minister Fadli also launched the QRIS digital payment system to facilitate mosque donations and encouraged collaboration between stakeholders to sustain cultural and economic initiatives in the region.