Indonesia is stepping up efforts to transform its role in the global creative economy, aiming to shift from a consumer to a producer and exporter of digital cultural intellectual property, following the launch of a joint Indonesia-China research and development hub for gaming and animation in Shanghai.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon emphasized the urgency of strengthening the country’s creative ecosystem during the recent inauguration of the Indonesia-China Video and Animation Joint Research and Development Center.

“Indonesia must move beyond being a consumer and become a producer, creator, developer, and exporter of digital cultural intellectual property. To achieve this, we need to strengthen the ecosystem,” Zon said in an official statement released.

The minister underscored that ecosystem development will require strategic improvements across multiple fronts, including funding access, research capabilities, technological infrastructure, production management, talent development, marketing, distribution channels, and intellectual property protection.

Zon identified animation and gaming as key growth drivers within the cultural and creative industries. He noted that the global gaming market is projected to surpass US$275 billion by 2026, fueled by rapid expansion in mobile gaming, esports, cloud gaming, and digital distribution platforms.

Indonesia’s domestic market reflects strong consumer demand. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, the country recorded approximately 870 million mobile game downloads, with Indonesian users accounting for over 40 percent of Southeast Asia’s total gaming population. The local gaming industry is currently estimated at around US$2.5 billion, according to industry data.

Despite this growth, Zon pointed out that the domestic market remains heavily dominated by foreign-developed titles, highlighting a critical gap in local production capacity.

The newly established joint center is expected to address this imbalance by leveraging China’s advanced digital ecosystem alongside Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage. Zon described Indonesia as “a universe of stories,” while acknowledging ongoing challenges in translating cultural assets into compelling narratives and immersive game worlds.

“Indonesia has vast cultural wealth, but we must strengthen our ability to transform it into strong storytelling and world-building, rather than using it solely as visual elements,” he said.

The collaboration is anticipated to foster innovation in game development and animation, support talent cultivation, and enhance bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and China. It also aims to produce culturally resonant content that reflects both nations while expanding Indonesia’s presence in the global creative market.

Beyond economic objectives, the initiative is positioned as part of Indonesia’s broader cultural diplomacy strategy, promoting its creative works internationally and strengthening cross-cultural exchange through digital media.

- Excel V. Dyquiangco