Governor: Surge in Creative Economy Value Added Reaches Rp304.6 Billion

Manado (ANTARA) - North Sulawesi Governor Yulius Selvanus stated that the value added of the creative economy (ekraf) experienced a significant surge in 2025, reaching more than Rp304.6 billion.

“Last year (2025), the target increase in ekraf value added was set at Rp20.5 billion, but it surged by Rp304.6 billion, or an increase of 1,456 percent,” said Governor Yulius in Manado on Wednesday.

He explained that this increase in value added occurred due to guidance from the Ministry of Creative Economy.

“In the City of Bitung, many ekraf initiatives emerged after receiving mentoring,” he added.

The flourishing of ekraf, according to Yulius, is due to the regional culture, which has human resources who enjoy working in that field.

He mentioned concrete actions and strategic activities that have been carried out, including supporting budget strengthening for large-scale events at the “Event Warbiasa Governor League 2025” and Manado High Street Market, as well as designating Manado as a National Creative City.

“The North Sulawesi Provincial Government is also committed to organising by establishing a specific ekraf nomenclature separate from tourism,” said the Governor.

The North Sulawesi Provincial Government, together with the Regional Office of the Directorate General of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, is also strengthening intellectual property (KI) protection and royalty systems for local creative actors.

“The success of this sector is evident in the growth of supporting sector performance, such as the continuous increase in accommodation and food and beverage provision throughout North Sulawesi,” he said.

Yulius added that North Sulawesi’s ekraf sector is currently in a phase of fundamental transformation, shifting from a tourism support sector to an independent economic growth engine based on intellectual wealth and youth participation.

“Our main strength lies in the cross-cutting character (cross-sectoral) that integrates subsectors such as culinary, crafts, fashion, performing arts, music, and digital creativity, with local cultural assets like Kolintang music as well as characteristic cuisine such as Manado Porridge and Cakalang Fufu,” he said.