press release the groundbreaking of riau creative economy and culture center

creative economy is a major pillar in supporting the economy of riau

Pekanbaru, November 16, 2020 – Riau Governor Syamsuar attended the groundbreaking ceremony to inaugurate the construction of the Creative Economy and Culture Center in the Malay Custom Institution, or Lembaga Adat Melayu (LAM), of Riau on Diponegoro Street in Pekanbaru

The Creative Economy and Culture Center, which is a collaboration program between SKK Migas, PT. Chevron Pacific Indonesia (PT CPI) and Riau LAM, will have 12 integrated kiosks to display crafts and local food from 12 regencies/towns in Riau. Every regency/town will also be able to perform Malay art and culture on the stage that will be featured in the building.

In his welcome speech, Governor Syamsuar said the creative industry will surely be a major pillar supporting the economy of Riau Province. “We cannot solely rely on oil and gas; and stay in our comfort zone, there should be new ways to enhance the wheels of economy moving forward so development can be done sustainably in the future. We need to leap from the previous economy, which relies on natural resources, agriculture and industrial and information technology, and turn to a creative-driven economy.”

Multi-partnership is needed to give the Riau creative industry support, appreciation and opportunity to grow the community’s acknowledgement for local creative industry products. “Consequently, collaboration and synergy from different community elements are needed, like what has been done by LAM Riau and SKK Migas – PT CPI,” Syamsuar continued.

Also, in attendance were Temporary Officer Chief Representative of SKK Migas Sumbagut Hariyanto Syafri, General Chief of LAM Riau Custom Meeting Assembly Datuk Seri Al Azhar and General Manager Corporate Affairs Asset Sukamto Tamrin.

Haryanto said that SKK Migas and PT CPI are committed to participate in Riau Malay culture conservation and economy enhancement through the construction of Riau Creative Economy and Culture Center in LAMR.

“Through facility construction by SKK Migas and PT CPI, we hope the local community will benefit, especially in enhancing their economy. It can also be a place to conserve Malay culture in Riau province,” said Haryanto.

This collaboration strengthens the long-term partnership between PT CPI, the Riau community and the government of Indonesia. For 95 years, PT CPI has been an inseparable part of the development history of Riau and its community.

“We hope this building will have strategic value to develop a creative economy and Malay culture conservation in Riau,” explained Sukamto. “Through reliable and sustainable management, this facility is expected to be a tourist destination icon as well as the center of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Riau,” said Sukamto.

The creative sector has a tremendous growth potential due to Indonesia’s demography, art and cultural heritage; and it is also a priority in national economic development. The creative industry is one of the 10 major sectors that support Indonesia’s economy and one that absorbs most of the workforce. This local economic empowerment harmonizes with the focus of all social investment programs run by PT CPI over the years. The objective is to create independency through entrepreneurship. Besides economic empowerment, other focus areas are health, education and training, and the environment.