DESTINATION -Indonesia's creative industry promotion named "Indonesian Festival" or the Festival of Indonesia

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DESTINATION -Indonesia's creative industry promotion named "Indonesian Festival" or the Festival of Indonesia, Thursday, opened the Head of National Agency for Export Development (NAFED) Hesty Beautiful Kresnarini in an event held at the Embassy in Washington DC, which will last until October 3, 2009.

Activity is cooperation between NAFED, Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Embassy Washington DC was attended by the Indonesian people, the diplomats and U.S. society.

In the invitation list include visible names Executive Director of the Asia Society, Washington, DC, Jack Garrity; Chief of Operations, Europe, Mediterranian and Asia Region, Peace Corp, David Burgess; Director for Asia Pacific Institute, the American Jewish Committee, and Director Jim Busis of International Affairs of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ann Santini.

In the festival, presented subsector growing creative economy in Indonesia such as batik, jewelry, photography, performance art and cuisine of Indonesia. also played a number of best films such as Laskar Pelangi Indonesia, Naga Bonar Jadi 2, Garuda in my chest, Denias, and the Forbidden Door.

In addition to film screenings, as well as workshops and seminars held in Washington DC and Los Angeles.

In his speech at the opening ceremony, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia in the United States, Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat said the festival was designed to provide a positive image of Indonesia through the sectors in the creative industries.

On December 22, 2008, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono launched the Creative Industries in 2009.

He said, in 2002-2008, 14 creative industry sectors contributed 7.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) or around Rp236 trillion, with fashion and crafts become the most dominant sectors.

In fashion, batik is a powerful product where young designers show new products using traditional clothing from Indonesia.

Creative industries, said Ambassador Sudjadnan, providing employment opportunities to about 7.4 million people. Since 2001, as many as 50 percent of total consumer spending in G7 countries is spent on creative industry products.

On that occasion the Ambassador said, regarding the establishment of Indonesian batik as World Heritage by UNESCO on October 2, 2009, he led all U.S. citizens in Indonesia to celebrate these days by using batik.

Promotion of creative industries was held as one of the follow-up visit of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Leaders Conference, the G-20 in Pittsburgh, USA, at the end of last week.

Before the Festival of Indonesia, also held "Indonesia Forum" held at Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Washington DC.

When providing a keynote address on "Indonesia Forum", the Minister of Trade Mari Elka Pangestu expect the emergence of new perceptions about Indonesia in the U.S., so pekembangan Indonesia and U.S. relations in all fields can be increased.

"The purpose of the forum today is to inform and share with you what is happening in Indonesia, so we can resolve misperceptions about Indonesia and raises important new perceptions about Indonesia and US-Indonesian relations," said the Minister, Wednesday (30 / 9).

In a forum with the theme "Indonesia Update: What The Next Agenda" was featured as a speaker expert staff of the Finance Minister Chatib Basri, Director (CEO) Karen Agustiawan Pertamina, Rector of the University of Paramadina Anies Baswedan and James Castle of Castle Asia, with moderator Prof. Karl Jackson of JHU.

Minister of Trade Mari Pengestu explained that currently growing awareness of Indonesia in the United States. But there are still misconceptions on both sides with the U.S. side may be higher.