Ministry of Creative Economy Expands UMKM Market Access Through Lhokseumawe Ramadan Bazaar

Jakarta - The Ministry of Creative Economy is collaborating with the Lhokseumawe City Government to organise the Ramadan Bazaar as part of strengthening the regional creative economy and expanding promotion and market access for local UMKM.

“Creative economy is the driver of future economic growth that contributes to regional revenue, creates employment opportunities, stimulates economic activity, and improves community welfare. This is where synergy and collaboration from all stakeholders are needed to support the 2026 Ramadan Bazaar,” said Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya in a statement received on Friday.

Under the theme “Blessed Ramadan, Creative Economy Growth,” the event is designed to expand promotion and market access for local business operators while strengthening the economic resilience of the region.

The Ministry of Creative Economy stated that the 2026 Ramadan Bazaar is not merely a gathering place or social visit during the holy month of Ramadan, but also serves to introduce local brands from Lhokseumawe so they can grow and penetrate the national market and eventually reach the global market.

“I hope the Ramadan Bazaar will not remain a seasonal activity, but instead become a sustainable movement that strengthens community economics and opens more business opportunities in the future,” said Teuku Riefky Harsya.

The opening of the 2026 Ramadan Bazaar was marked by the playing of Rapai, a traditional Acehnese musical instrument, and was enlivened by traditional dance performances and nasyid (Islamic vocal art). The activity continued with the distribution of assistance to 30 orphaned children.

The Creative Economy Minister, together with the Mayor of Lhokseumawe, visited several stalls displaying innovative products and provided motivation to business operators to continue strengthening the community economic movement.

In addition to commercial transactions, the 2026 Ramadan Bazaar was also enlivened by various social and religious activities. There was a creativity and Islamic preaching stage, as well as various competitions with religious themes, including adhan (call to prayer) recitation competitions, memorisation of short Qur’anic verses, young preachers, and Qur’an memorisation competitions.