RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s creative economy must be anchored in its rich cultural heritage if it is to thrive globally, according to Minister of Creative Economy and Head of the Creative Economy Agency, Teuku Riefky Harsya. He emphasized that strong cultural foundations across the archipelago provide the upstream source from which innovation, technology, and digitalization can flow into creative industries.

“From west to east, Nusantara has deep cultural roots. When these roots are touched by innovation, creativity, and technology -- including digitalization -- that is where the creative economy emerges. The downstream of strong cultural roots is creative economy,” Riefky said in Jakarta on Saturday, March 14, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

His remarks came during an audience with the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association at Gadjah Mada University (HIPMI PT UGM), which introduced plans for the Entrepreneurs Leadership Conference 2026. The forum is designed as a strategic dialogue space bringing together government, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), academics, and influencers to discuss challenges and opportunities for Indonesian SMEs amid declining consumption and rapid digital adaptation.

HIPMI PT UGM Chairman Aswin Hadyan R. expressed hopes that the conference would advance youth entrepreneurship and strengthen creative, digitally driven SMEs both within and beyond university circles.

“In this era of digitalization and global transformation, the creative economy is a vital pillar supporting growth. Through the conference, we aim to connect government, SMEs, academia, and the creative ecosystem to address challenges and seize opportunities,” he said.

Responding to the initiative, Riefky noted that the ministry’s core mission is to identify “local heroes” from 17 creative subsectors and help them reach global markets. He pledged readiness to collaborate and participate in HIPMI PT UGM’s upcoming event.

The conference is expected to highlight how Indonesia’s cultural heritage, when combined with innovation and digital transformation, can serve as a powerful engine for sustainable economic growth. ***