Creative Economy Minister says East Java among top three for highest national creative exports

East Java contributed significantly across crafts, culinary, game development and photography between January and April 2026.

Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA) — Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya said East Java ranks among the top three provinces nationally for creative economy export value in four leading subsectors: crafts, culinary, game development and photography.

“East Java contributed significantly to crafts, culinary, game development and photography from January to April 2026. East Java is always in the top three,” the minister said during the Jatim Media Summit 2026 in Surabaya on Thursday.

Teuku Riefky said national crafts exports between January and April 2026 reached US$3.82 billion, with East Java in second place after Jakarta with exports of around US$0.87 billion, or a 22.9 per cent contribution.

Beyond crafts, East Java also ranked second in game development exports, at US$5.56 million or 20.1 per cent of the national realisation of US$27.5 million.

Positive performance was also recorded in the culinary subsector, where East Java ranked third with exports of US$47.02 million, or 16.8 per cent of total national exports of US$0.28 billion.

In photography, Teuku said East Java secured third place among national export contributors, at US$0.29 million, or 6.2 per cent of total photography exports of US$0.47 million.

He said technology, combined with innovation and creativity and paired with culture, will continue to nurture the seeds of the creative economy.

East Java’s achievements, he added, further prove that the creative economy can serve as a new engine for national economic growth, starting from the regions.

He noted that investment realisation in the creative economy sector reached Rp183.01 trillion, or 9.5 per cent of total national investment, in 2025.