Gekrafs Officially Inaugurates Representative and Opens Creative Economy Collaboration Opportunities in Central Asia
The National Creative Economy Movement (Gekrafs) continues to expand its strategic efforts to bring Indonesia’s creative economy onto the global stage. Through the Creative Economy Diplomatic Mission 2026 series, Gekrafs strengthened relations between Indonesia and Kazakhstan via creative economy collaboration, innovation, and cross-country partnership opportunities.
The agenda, which took place at the Diplomat Hotel in Astana, Kazakhstan, served as an important momentum to tighten bilateral relations through a creativity and community empowerment approach. The event was attended by Gekrafs Chairman Kawendra Lukistian, Special Staff to the President of Kazakhstan Abayeva Arailym, Gekrafs board members, the Indonesian diaspora, students from the Indonesian Student Association (PPI), Kazakh entrepreneurs, creative communities, and various other strategic stakeholders.
Gekrafs Chairman Kawendra Lukistian stated that Gekrafs’ presence in Kazakhstan is a crucial step to build connectivity between Indonesian creative economy actors and international networks. He noted that Kazakhstan has great potential to become a strategic partner for Indonesia. The establishment of the Gekrafs Overseas Representative Council (DPLN) in Kazakhstan is expected to serve as a bridge for collaboration that delivers tangible benefits to the communities of both nations.
‘Gekrafs Kazakhstan must become a pipeline for distributing benefits, both for the people of Kazakhstan and the Indonesian community here. I have high hopes that Gekrafs Kazakhstan can become one of the best overseas representatives because the potential is enormous,’ Kawendra said in a statement on Wednesday (24/6). He added that the creative economy sector has vast room for growth as it is present in many aspects of people’s daily lives. ‘Hopefully, with Gekrafs’ presence, the already good relationship between Indonesia and Kazakhstan will become even stronger and bring more shared benefits.’
Special Staff to the President of Kazakhstan, Abayeva Arailym, also expressed appreciation for Gekrafs’ presence, viewing it as a new platform to strengthen Indonesia-Kazakhstan relations through creativity and innovation. ‘Indonesia and Kazakhstan have a continuously developing friendship. We believe that cooperation built through creativity can open new opportunities and strengthen bilateral relations,’ Abayeva said, adding that the creative economy sector plays an important role in future development by involving young talent and cultural diversity. ‘Kazakhstan is always open to various forms of collaboration that bring positive impact. We hope Gekrafs can become a bridge for the people of Indonesia and Kazakhstan to share experiences and strengthen cooperation.’
The inauguration of the Gekrafs Overseas Representative Council in Kazakhstan is part of Gekrafs’ larger mission to expand Indonesia’s creative economy network globally. The presence of this international network is expected to open greater access for Indonesian works, talent, and innovation to be recognised worldwide. The Creative Economy Diplomatic Mission 2026 was officially supported by collaborator Bank BNI, along with support from Telkomsel, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Azerbaijan, and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Kazakhstan. Through this activity, Gekrafs reaffirmed its commitment to continuously strengthen Indonesia’s creative economy diplomacy.