GEKRAFS Launches Indonesia’s Creative Economy Diplomacy in Russia

RRI.CO.ID, St. Petersburg – The National Creative Economy Movement (GEKRAFS) has officially established the GEKRAFS Overseas Representative Council (DPLN) in the Russian Federation for the 2026–2029 term as part of efforts to strengthen Indonesia’s creative economy diplomacy in Russia. At an inauguration ceremony held in St. Petersburg on Thursday, September 17,2026, Andre Septiyanto was officially appointed Chair of the GEKRAFS DPLN Russian Federation for the 2026–2029 term.

The ceremony was attended by GEKRAFS Central Executive Board Chair Kawendra Lukistian, representative of the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow Hartyo Harkomoyo, St. Petersburg City Government representative Dmitry Krutoy, Deputy Chair of the St. Petersburg Committee for External Relations Valery Kalugin, and St. Petersburg Bank Board member Darya Savelyeva.

More than 70 guests attended the event, including Russian creative industry players from various sectors, such as media, music, arts, gaming, culinary businesses, pencak silat, tourism, and fashion.

GEKRAFS Central Executive Board Chair Kawendra Lukistian expressed optimism about the development of creative economy cooperation between Indonesia and Russia as bilateral relations between the two countries continue to strengthen.

“This is the principle of collaboration between the creative economy movements of Indonesia and Russia,” Kawendra said in a statement received in Jakarta on Monday, September 21, 2026.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Embassy in Moscow representative Hartyo Harkomoyo said there is significant potential to expand economic cooperation between the two countries. He highlighted the signing of the Indonesia-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement (I-EAEU FTA) in St. Petersburg in 2025 as one of the milestones that could support the development of economic and creative industry ties between Indonesia and Russia.

St. Petersburg City Government representative Dmitry Krutoy welcomed the event and said there were opportunities to develop various cooperation projects amid growing interest among Russian businesses in Indonesia.

Andre Septiyanto said he would utilize the support of GEKRAFS’ Central Executive Board and the potential of the Indonesian diaspora in Russia to promote Indonesia as one of the world’s creative economy hubs.

“My vision is to make GEKRAFS DPLN Russia more than just a representative office. I envision it as a strategic bridge between Indonesia and Russia — a bridge connecting people, ideas, creativity, culture, and economic opportunities,” he said.