“The development of the sharia creative economy must be 360 degrees. The focus is what we eat everyday, what we wear everyday and what we see everyday, namely halal food, modest fashion, media and recreation. Therefore, we need to bring in young entrepreneurs, especially in Salatiga and other parts of Indonesia," he said. The development of the sharia economy through halal tourism is in line with more quality and sustainable tourism. Because halal tourism is not exclusive tourism, but inclusive, because it can be consumed by all groups. This is what makes halal tourism so attractive to tourists in various parts of the world. However, Indonesia's own position in the Global Islamic Economics Indonesia 2020/2021 report ranks fourth after Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Therefore, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy wants Indonesia, which is inhabited by 87 percent of the Muslim population, to maximize its halal tourism potential so that it can become a leading Islamic economic center in the world. Of course, by implementing three main pillars, namely innovation with digital technology, adaptation through health protocols and collaboration with various stakeholders. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has various programs that can encourage the improvement of Indonesia's sharia economy, namely through facilitation of access to sharia financing such as Modest Fashion Founders Fund, Islamic Creative Economy Competition (ICEC), Sharia Financial Management Class, Sharia Banking Business Meeting.
In addition, there is also the Santri Digitalpreneur Indonesia program which was just launched on September 14, 2021. "I see a very big opportunity, because there are, 4.3 million students in Indonesia that we need to provide training and mentoring. Because these students, apart from having two main strengths, namely understanding Islam that is rahmatan lil alamin and having morality, they also have entrepreneurial abilities," he said. On that occasion, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy also invited lecturers at the Salatiga State Islamic University to participate in building the character of a qualified and competitive entrepreneur. Because human resources are the main thing in the recovery of the Islamic creative economy sector. Menparekraf also encourages students to always be optimistic in the midst of a pandemic and economic challenges, that they are able to create opportunities, to become winners. "We are not just spectators, we are players. We should not be lying down, but be agents of change," concluded Sandi.
