Indonesia's Creative Economy Investment Reaches US$5.4 Billion

KBRN, Jakarta: The Indonesian government has designated seven creative economy sectors as main priorities until 2029, such as games, applications, Fashion, culinary, crafts, films, dan music. Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, recently delivered the statement.

According to him, the economy's investment reached Rp90 trillion (about US$5.4 billion) in the first half, far exceeding initial projections, which reinforced the government's optimism.

"Four sectors are also developing rapidly, even though their value is not yet significant, namely games, digital applications, films (and videos) - including animations, and music. These seven priority subsectors will continue to receive strong support over the next five years," he said.

Indonesia's Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya told reporters in a recent press conference. (Photo: Video screenshot by the Indonesian Ministry of Creative Economy)

The Minister is optimistic that this year's creative economy investment will exceed the target. So far, investment achievement in the first half of 2025 reached Rp90 trillion, equivalent to 66 percent of the initial 2025 target of Rp136 trillion (about US$8.2 billion).

"God willing, it will be achieved as we have already achieved more than 50 percent, 66 percent of the target within the first six months," he conveyed.

This confidence is supported by several positive global achievements. Riefky cited the success of the animated film Jumbo, which has been screened in dozens of countries, and the expansion of the frozen yogurt franchise Sour Sally to the Philippines.

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Jumbo, an animated film depicting the adventure of a boy named Don and his friends, premiered in late March, coinciding with the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr. The movie is now the highest-grossing Indonesian film with 10.2 million admissions sold, and the second-highest-grossing film screened in the country, only behind Marvel Studios' Avengers: Endgame.

Meanwhile, Sour Sally, founded by Donny Pramono in 2008, is known for introducing the first frozen yogurt in Asia. In March, Sour Sally signed a franchise agreement with Strong Alliance Global, which plans to open 48 new outlets in the Philippines over the next five years.

Recently, the company also announced the expansion of its footprint into the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

The minister made the statement after attending a forum, held ahead of the first year of the Prabowo-Gibran presidency, on Monday (10/20/2025). Since the beginning of their term, Prabowo had outlined his government's eight key missions called Asta Cita, with one mission focused on "developing creative industries."