Honorable. Ms. Mari Pangestu, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Honorable. Tun Musa Hitam, Chairman of WIFE Foundation Honorable. Mr. Tanri abeng, WIFE IAP Member and Advisor, Organising Committee of the 4th Marketplace Bandung Honorable. Mr Ridwan Kamil, Chairman of Bandung Creative City Forum
Good afternoon distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
First of all I would like to welcome you all to Bandung, I hope that you had a pleasant journey coming here and that you will have a wonderful time during your short visit today. I am truly humbled and extremely honored knowing that Indonesia, in particular Bandung, West Java is for the first time has been chosen to be the host of a highly anticipated most creative event in South East Asia, The 4th Marketplace of Creative Arts.
West Java has truly been blessed with the abundance of creativity and talent. Therefore this event could not have taken place at a better time. This would definitely give us a chance to showcase our artisans from many regions in West Java to take part in this event. Hence I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the organizing committee of the 4th Marketplace Creative Arts, WIEF Foundation and Bandung Creative City Forum.
It has come to our attention that Indonesia houses myriad of brilliant creative potential, and as the head of the regional craft council of West Java, I truly believe that this event would accelerate the improvement of economic potential, focusing in business and trade challenges in the world of creative industry and also exploring opportunities lies in the industry that we all have come to know and love. Local artisans are dying to be supported, developed, improved and showcased and also to be given opportunities to help the grow, to be able to show the world what they are capable of and to finally become artisans that would represent their country, identity and culture.
I reckon that this event will be a platform to cultural exchange on a regional level, bringing together many artisans from all over Asia. It would also strengthen the bond of friendship between Indonesia and Malaysia that we have galvanized ages ago. So once again, I would thank all parties involved in the success of this event, on behalf of artisans of West Java, we are eternally grateful.
-Yth Ibu Netty Prasetiyani, Chairperson of National Regional Crafts Council (Dekrasnada), West Java Province