Directorate General of Immigration promotes economic growth in creative and sports sectors

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Directorate General (Ditjen) of Immigration, Ministry of Immigration and Community Corrections (Kemenimipas), is promoting economic growth in the creative industries and sports sectors by providing easy and comfortable immigration services. “Our hope is to create harmony between the government and organisers, which will become the main driver of economic growth in the creative and sports sectors,” said Immigration Director Hendarsam Marantoko in Jakarta on Thursday. To this end, they are socialising immigration services to relevant stakeholders, from government elements and sports industry players to event organisers and national broadcasters. Hendarsam stated that this socialisation of immigration services is a response to Indonesia’s substantial market potential in hosting international music concerts, cultural arts festivals, and sports championships. These activities, he said, have a multiplier effect on the local economy, from the hospitality and transportation sectors to SMEs and job absorption. “We want to ensure that every performer or athlete coming to Indonesia feels welcomed with easy and comfortable services. Of course, without neglecting aspects of supervision and national security,” he said. According to him, synergy between the government and organisers is key to accelerating the national economy. He also hopes this activity can build more effective communication so that immigration regulations do not hinder event organisers. This harmonisation is also a response to President Prabowo Subianto’s expectation for K-Pop concerts to be held more frequently in Indonesia. The ease of access to these services, he said, is not only provided to established artists but also to new artists or underground fan-based talents, including athletes. In addition, with this ease of immigration service access, the Directorate General of Immigration wants Indonesia to become a destination country for promoters or impresario companies as well as sports organisations to hold events. “We want Indonesia to become one of the points for hosting world-class international agendas, not just certain neighbouring countries like Singapore, but we want to shift it here (to Indonesia), what we can do in the immigration field according to our duties and functions. We will maximise it in that direction,” he said. People’s Immigration Several policy points in the socialisation include optimising visa classifications for sports and cultural arts activities, procedures for athletes contracted by professional clubs, standardising examination procedures for Indonesian delegations at immigration checkpoints (TPI), and preventive steps to ensure foreign nationals’ activities align with their visa purposes for legal certainty. He added that the “Immigration for the People” slogan serves as the foundation for ensuring that international activities in Indonesia not only provide economic benefits but also maintain security, order, and public discipline for all society. “With easier, faster, and coordinated services, we are committed to supporting Indonesia as the main destination for international agendas,” he said.