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Acknowledging a growing demand for Indonesian talent in the
U.S. animation industry, an Indonesian trade mission led by Trade
Minister Mari Elka Pangestu is currently in Los Angeles, California, to
promote the industry.
"Indonesian people have exported their talent in animation to
globally-known animation companies such as Walt Disney. We are
committed to supporting this," Mari said in Los Angeles in a statement
released Saturday.
Mari said her ministry, together with the Industry Ministry and the
State Ministry for Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises, had
been preparing a road map under the Indonesian Design Power initiative
in order to promote and develop the country's creative industry.
Analysts have said the country's animation industry, which to some
extent has benefited from the growing illegal trade in film and
animation software, began to form an outsourcing animation network with
the U.S. and Europe from the late 1990s.
Animation industries in other countries have also sought the expertise
of Indonesian artists. Jakarta-based Castle Production has received
animation project orders from countries including Sri Lanka, India,
Malaysia, Thailand and England.
Aside from promoting talent in the animation industry, Mari is also
investigating the possibility of U.S.-based movie firms using Indonesia
as part of their production base.
"California is the center of the creative world because it is home to
the Hollywood film industry.
"We are exploring the possibility of the Hollywood film industry
exploiting Indonesia's beautiful and unique landscape and also working
with local companies, the number of which has grown quite
significantly," she said.
"Los Angeles is one of the most important cities for business. And
apart from expanding export potential and attracting investors,
California is also an ideal place for promoting Indonesian tourism,"
she said.
During her visit to L.A., Mari led a business forum that was attended
by approximately 150 businesspeople from California and several
Indonesian businesspeople.
According to the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), in the first
quarter of 2007 there were 12 investment projects taking place in
Indonesia involving U.S. investors, with a total estimated value of
$106 million.
During the forum, the minister also held several meetings with
potential investors while several members of the Indonesian delegation,
most of whom were from private firms, held meetings with U.S. business
players.
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