Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia's Creative Economy Ministry has voiced support for the development of book cafes, highlighting that cross-sectoral collaboration between the culinary and publishing industries is expected to generate added value for the nation's creative economy.Creative Economy Minister Teuku Riefky Harsya noted that such establishments could serve as an innovative business model for entrepreneurs while simultaneously expanding public reading spaces.In an official statement released here on Monday, the minister said the book cafe concept demonstrates that commercial spaces can function not only as transaction hubs but also as melting pots for communities, ideas, and various creative products.According to data from the ministry, the culinary sector was the largest contributor to Indonesia's creative economy in 2025, accounting for 41.06 percent of the total, with an 8.44 percent growth rate.Between January and April 2026, the sector recorded an export value of US$280 million. Meanwhile, the publishing sector contributed 5.35 percent to the creative economy in 2025, registering a 3 percent growth. Its export value reached US$4.47 million during the first four months of 2026.In light of these figures, Harsya expressed his support for the recent opening of the AKC Library & Cafe in Jakarta.Initiated by senior Indonesian diplomat Dino Patti Djalal, the establishment serves as the city's first public space featuring a foreign policy-themed cafe and a book club concept.”We hope the AKC Library & Cafe will become an incubator of creativity where industry professionals can exchange ideas and produce tangible works. The Creative Economy Ministry will continue to support similar initiatives to expand public access to quality educational spaces,” the minister remarked.Meanwhile, Djalal said that the venue is designed as a tranquil space for reading, writing, thinking, and discussing global issues, complemented by a vast collection of non-fiction books donated by national figures, strategic thinkers, and diplomats.”My ultimate vision is to make this place a platform for young people to come, think, and write. Because the idea of reading and writing is beautiful, we are not here to make money, but rather to help people discover themselves,” Djalal stated.