Creative Industry Can Boost Rural Economy: Minister

Jakarta (Antara) - Creative industry will be able to boost the country\'s rural economy, Minister of Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Marwan Jafar said. \"We are optimistic because a lot of commodities from the creative industry are produced by home industries in villages,\" said Jafar here on Sunday. Currently, the creative industry products that are accepted in both domestic and abroad markets, are batik, carving, embroidery, jewelry, calligraphy, leather products, and snacks. These products are made by home industries existing in various parts of the country. \"The creativity of the craftsmen are accepted by both domestic and global consumers. This is a great potential that should not be wasted, and should be continued in order to develop the rural economy,\" said the minister. There are villages with creative economic activities in almost all regions in the country, such as embroidery industry in Tasikmalaya (West Java), songket (woven in Bukittinggi (West Sumatra) and weaving in Wajo (South Sulawesi). These villages have the potential to be developed into more productive and competitive ones. \"The support can be combined with the activities of village-owned enterprises (BUMDes), or can also be funded by the central government\'s village grant and regional aid,\" Jafar said. ***1*** Reported by Indriani