Pasay City, Philippines—The Department of Trade of Industry (DTI) has positioned the Philippines to become Asia’s premier creative hub through the Philippines-Indonesia Creative Economy Roundtable held on 28 August 2024. This initiative underscored the Philippines’ recognition of Indonesia as a valuable partner in advancing the creative economy agenda both bilaterally and within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The forum was a collaborative effort between the DTI’s Malikhaing Pinoy Program of the Competitiveness and Innovation Group (CIG), led by Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba, and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Jakarta, led by Commercial Attaché and Economic Official to ASEAN Jeremiah Reyes.

(L-R): Mr. Ricky Yoseph Pesik, Chairman KADIN Indonesia; Mariana Susanthi, Trade Asisstant, PTIC-Jakarta; Mr. Jonathan Tan, Head of the Culture and Information Division of the ASEAN Secretariat; Ms. Agustini Rahayu, Director of Strategic Review Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia (KEMENPAREKRAF); Foreign Trade Service Officer (FTSO) Jollan Margaret Llaneza, DTI-Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC);  Mr. Jeremiah Reyes, Commercial Attaché and Economic Official to ASEAN, PTIC-Jakarta; Ms. Thelma Saldana Victorio, Co-Founder, Barong Batik Indonesia; Dr. Yanki Hartijasti, MBA,  Associate Professor, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Indonesia (UI); Ms. Deasy Puspita, Trade Asisstant, PTIC-Jakarta

During the roundtable, the two countries shared insights and best practices to bolster collaboration in areas such as policy initiatives, research and development, incentives for creative industries, digital transformation, creative entrepreneurship, and emerging creative sectors.

 (L-R): Mr. Mudzakir, Minister – Head of Economic Section Embassy of Indonesia to the Philippines; Mr. Ricky Yoseph Pesik Chairman of the Permanent Commission for Creative and Digital Economy, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN Indonesia); DTI-CIG Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba; Mr. Jonathan Tan, Head of the Culture and Information Division of the ASEAN Secretariat; Panel Moderator Mr. Basil Andres, Program Manager, DTI- Creative Industries Development Office (CIDO)

Apart from these, the roundtable featured unique pieces from Barong Batik and sustainable and innovative design solutions from Pinyapel of KB Industrial Inc. The exhibit also showcased other Filipino-made export quality products, including:

  • Lakat shoes (Creative Definitions);
  • paper placemats (GSG by Flora Creatives);
  • planter (Nature’s legacy);
  • paper toys (OneofT);
  • basket bags (RCB Crafts and Designs);
  • ottoman chairs (Tadeco Home);
  • rugs (WeaveManila Inc.);
  • bowl (Plastics by Manila Automat);
  • paper wrappers from APP.Co,
  • different food and cosmetics packaging (IdeaTechs);
  • textile fibers (Asia Textile Mills and ALINDECO)
  • clothing fabric mades of pineapple woven fabric (Am Juana Clothing Corp.); and
  • swatch box (DTI’s Design Center of the Philippines).

In the event, DTI-CIG Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba emphasized the shared values, culture, and aspirations that underpin this collaboration.

Department of Trade and Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Group (DTI-CIG) Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba delivers her message during the opening of the Philippines-Indonesia Creative Economy Roundtable

“We are opening new pathways for collaboration, innovation, and mutual growth of our creative industries. Indonesia and the Philippines share a strong economic foundation built on mutual trade and investment,” said Usec. Aldaba. She also highlighted the crucial role of creative cities in transforming local heritage into valuable assets for the creative economy.

The creative economy currently contributes 7% to the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) and serves as a vital source of employment. This collaboration with Indonesia is poised to further enhance the growth and sustainability of the creative economy in both countries.

Hon. Christopher V.P. De Venecia commended the creative industries for their substantial contributions and cited Indonesia’s advancements in digitalization, emphasizing the potential for future partnerships. He underscored the significant role of grassroots initiatives, such as Fiesta Harayas and Local Culture and Arts Councils (LCACs), in fostering the creative economy.

Building on this robust partnership in the creative economy, Congressman De Venecia also commemorated the 75-year milestone of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Indonesia Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Agus Widjojo, echoed the optimism surrounding this partnership. He noted its significance of the creative economy in Indonesia, noting its contribution of 3.1% to global GDP and its resilience during the pandemic. Ambassador Widjojo also outlined ongoing initiatives in Indonesia aimed at further bolstering the creative economy, with a target contribution of USD 23.9 billion or 10% of its GDP.

H.E. Widjojo further underscored the promising opportunities from the groundbreaking memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Indonesia and the Philippines. This pioneering collaboration in the creative economy sector—the Philippines’ first such MOU with another nation—opens potential collaborations in policy alignment, dialogue, and capacity building.

By capitalizing on their unique strengths and resources, the Philippines and Indonesia are set to forge mutually beneficial partnerships that will drive economic growth, facilitate cultural exchange, and foster creativity and innovation within the region. ♦

Date of release: 06 September 2024

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