Jakarta. Senior government officials of Indonesia and Singapore recently held a meeting to discuss a potential partnership on music concerts as the close neighbor thrives in “Swiftnomics”.

Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno last week met with Singaporean Sustainability Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien during the former’s trip to Singapore. 

According to a ministerial press release, both ministers had discussed the opportunities for Indonesia-Singapore to work together on holding world-class events, including international artists. The release did not mention if Indonesia was aiming for a particular artist in this partnership. 

However, Indonesia is aware of the huge economic boon that Singapore enjoys after becoming the only stop for Taylor Swift’s six-day Eras Tour in Southeast Asia. The concert-goers who came to see the American pop star also reportedly spent five times more than the typical travelers.

Sandiaga also told Grace of how the government was preparing incentives from what it called the “Indonesia Tourism Fund”, which sought to increase the country’s chances of hosting prestigious events. 

“Our strategy is to provide special incentives for promoters or event organizers who will bring in international events to Indonesia,” Sandiaga was quoted as saying in a recent press statement. 

The incentives will not only go to music concerts but will also support sports and cultural events. Sandiaga previously said that the tourism fund would manage approximately Rp 2 trillion (approximately $129 million) --which would entirely come from the government budget-- in the first year. Indonesia is expected to launch the fund this year.

Aside from incentives, event organizers and promoters can apply for permits digitally in Indonesia.

“We believe with the digitalization of concert permits, or this ‘single-door system’, promoters will not have any difficulties. It will cost less [for them] to apply for a permit. This mechanism will slash the bureaucratic red tapes, and make the entire process more transparent,” Sandiaga said.

Chief Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan over the weekend commented on how Singapore was able to book the Taylor Swift tour. 

“Regarding Taylor Swift, we, Indonesia, are not smart. If we can book [the concert], we should have just done so. If we have to pay, then we do so. That is competition. There is nothing wrong with it. Everything is online now,” Luhut said in a video uploaded on his Instagram account.

Luhut added: “I have spoken with people in the business. I told these businessmen: ‘Just bring them [international artists] here to Indonesia. If you encounter any problem, tell me.”

Not long ago, Luhut proposed the idea of Indonesia hosting similar exclusive concerts to compete with Singapore.
 

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