REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NUSA DUA -- Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has expressed optimistic that Indonesia would be able to become a creative economic capital in the Southeast Asia region. She made the remarks at the World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE) in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Wednesday.

Retno noted that Indonesia's rich cultural heritage allows the country to develop creative industries, fashion, culinary, arts and crafts, and entertainment. These sectors have become an anchor for the Indonesian economy, which helps the nation to remain strong in the face of global economic crisis.

"We have more than enough creative modalities from 700 ethnic groups throughout the archipelago," she remarked, adding that the synergy between related parties is needed to establish Indonesia as a creative economic modality in the region.

"We really understand the need for synergy; more precisely, the synergy of Penta-Helix is needed to bring together academics, businesses, communities, as well as the government and the media," Retno explained.