Menbud Fadli Zon Encourages Cultural-Based MSMEs At KURMA Fair 2025
TANJUNGPINANG Culture is economic power. Cultural-based MSMEs must be a part of a competitive economy.
This statement was emphasized by the Minister of Culture Fadli Zon when inaugurating the 2025 Riau Ramadan Fair (KURMA Fair) Islands at Tugu Sirih Field, Tanjungpinang, Monday (10/3). This festival aims not only to strengthen the sharia economic ecosystem, but also to become a platform for culture-based MSMEs to develop and compete in a wider market.
KURMA Fair 2025 will be held in two cities, namely in Tanjungpinang on March 10-16 and Batam on March 17-23. This event was initiated by the Riau Islands Bank Indonesia Representative Office (BI) to encourage acceleration of halal certification, development of the Halal Center, and increasing competitiveness of the sharia creative industry.
In his remarks, Fadli Zon emphasized the importance of culture as part of economic development. In developed countries, culture is displayed as economic storefronts. Their museums become centers of tourism and business. Indonesia must place culture in an economic framework, not just a preserved legacy," he said.
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Before inaugurating KURMA Fair, the Minister of Culture visited the Riau Islands Malay Customary Institute (LAM) and the Riau Islands National Crafts Council (Dekranasda). In LAM, he was greeted with a traditional ceremony of Tepuk Tepung Tawar as a form of respect. Meanwhile in Dekranasda, he reviewed various cultural-based handicraft products, ranging from fashion to household interiors.
"The quality of Dekranasda products is very good. I hope this can develop more widely, not only in the Riau Islands, but also at the national and international levels," said Fadli Zon.
The Governor of the Riau Islands, H. Ansar Ahmad in his speech conveyed the regional commitment to synergize with the Ministry of Culture in developing cultural festivals as part of the creative economy.
KURMA Fair 2025 also presents various activities, such as exhibitions of culture-based MSME products, small money exchanges, and the launch of QRIS as a means of giving alms to mosques. This event was officially opened by beating together by the Minister of Education and Culture, the Governor of the Riau Islands, and a number of regional officials. This year, KURMA Fair carries the theme Road to FESyar Sumatra 2025, with various competitions and sharia-based financial education.