Tourism Creative Economy Minister and Ambassador of Morocco Discuss Potential Cooperation in the Creative Economy Sector

Jakarta, InfoPublik - The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, held a meeting with the Moroccan Ambassador to Indonesia Ouadiâ Benabdellah, at the Sapta Pesona Building, Friday (26/11).

In the meeting, the two discussed the potential for cooperation in the creative economy sector, because previously Indonesia-Morocco did not have a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this sector.

In addition, the two countries also discussed the potential for cooperation in organizing international events.

Sandiaga hopes that the cooperation will strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, especially in the tourism and creative economy sectors.

"Hopefully, we can work together and collaborate in developing tourism and the creative economy in both countries, especially in the creative economy sector, since there was no MoU and cooperation agreement in the creative economy sector between Indonesia and Morocco. And I hope the MoU can help promote and present quality and sustainable tourism,” he said.

Morocco is one of the countries that contributes the largest tourism to Indonesia, from quantity to spending money. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Moroccan tourist visits to Indonesia in 2017 reached 11,000.

The Moroccan Ambassador to Indonesia, Ouadiâ Benabdellah, said that Moroccan tourists have something in common with Indonesian tourists. They tend to stay long enough and buy creative economy products.

"Indonesia and Morocco have something in common when traveling, they come to stay for a long time, then they are both fancy to buy handicraft products typical of the country, and go home with lots of suitcases to share with their relatives," said Ouadiâ.

Furthermore, Ouadiâ said that in 2019, the art of Moroccan Sahrawi was present at the opening of the 2019 International Creative Crafts Exhibition. He hoped that the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy could involve Morocco in their international events again in the future.

Ouadiâ also hopes that international events owned by Morocco, such as the Rabat Festival, can collaborate with Indonesia.

"We also have the Rabat Festival, the 2nd largest event in the world. There are one million visitors who come for this event. The event is also included in UNESCO. Hopefully, we can collaborate in this," he said.

Also accompanying the Menparekraf in the meeting, the Director of Inter-Agency Relations Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf, Iman Santosa and Director of Tourism Marketing Regional II Kemenparekraf/Baperekraf, Raden Sigit Witjaksono.

Photo: Tourism and Creative Economy Communication Bureau

Author: Untung S

Editor: Wawan Budiyanto

Translator: Wilda Stiana