Padang, W Sumatra (ANTARA) - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno supports the development of Padang's youth center, which is one of the 11 flagship programs of the Padang mayor.
"I fully support the youth center program in Padang. Hopefully, the construction would be completed as expected," Uno stated during a creative economy workshop called the Indonesian Creative Word Development Program on Sunday.
The minister lauded the Padang government's steps to implement the youth center program in the city, as the presence of a youth activity center will be able to help to develop the younger generation in the coming years.
"Moreover, the presence of the youth center will provide a forum for the creative economy sector in Padang. God willing, our ministry is ready to fully support it," Uno affirmed.
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Furthermore, speaking in connection with the Indonesian Creative Words Development Program that he implemented, the minister noted that Padang was the third city he had visited out of the 25 creative districts and cities in Indonesia.
Uno said his side will help each region that is visited to develop the creative economy as well as facilitate and provide assistance to encourage the creative industry.
"In my opinion, Padang is extraordinary, especially from the perspective of the tourism sector and its special culinary delights, such as rendang, which is already known worldwide. My ministry is ready to support Padang's tourism and creative economy sector to continue to progress and develop even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic," Uno affirmed.
Meanwhile, Padang Mayor Hendri Septa, on behalf of the Padang government and Padang residents, expressed gratitude over Uno's visit to Padang.
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According to Septa, apart from supporting the development of creative economy in the city, Uno also voiced his support to develop a youth center.
"Currently, Padang already has a total of over 34 thousand micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the most developed creative economy is the culinary sub-sector in addition to the tourism and culture sector," Septa remarked.
In 2022, a youth center will additionally be built in Padang to also support development of the creative economy and activities in the city.
"We certainly also expect support from the Central Government, including from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy," Septa concluded.
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