Creative Economy Minister Describes IP-Based Business as a 'New Mining'

Jakarta — Teuku Riefky Harsya, Minister of Creative Economy/Head of the Creative Economy Agency (Ekraf), described intellectual property (IP)-based businesses as a ‘new mining’ with substantial future economic potential. ‘So this is IP business, that’s why IP business is also called ’The New Mining’, a new mining,’ he said at the launch and press conference for ‘Indonesia Animation Report 2026’ in Jakarta on Tuesday. He said IP-based industries have significant economic value potential if developed sustainably across various business platforms such as film, games, merchandise, music, and other derivative products. ‘The Gundam IP has generated around US$26 billion over 47 years, or about Rp460 trillion. In addition, the Pokemon IP over 30 years has generated US$92 billion, around Rp1,600 trillion,’ he said. He added that the economic value of Pokemon in 2025 had reached around Rp2,500 trillion from a single IP. ‘If we manage it properly, what we are pushing now is whether it’s IP characters appearing from video games, whether from merchandise, whether they will be used for trading cards, comics, box office films, home entertainment, books, music, or music videos,’ he said. He assessed that IP creators currently have a strategic position that can be equated with the natural resources industry in the past. Indonesia Animation Report 2026 was launched as a comprehensive study on the conditions, potential, and challenges of the national animation industry.