TEMPO.CO, Solo - UNESCO has acknowledged Solo as a creative city. However, chairman of the Surakarta Forum for Economy Development and Employment Promotion (FEDEP), David Wijaya, said that being a creative city was not enough.

"[Surakarta] must be a creative economy city. Creativity can be the motor of the city's economy," David said on the sidelines of a discussion event on Tuesday, September 23, 2014.

David considered that Surakarta has a huge potential to become a creative economy city for its long history in designs.

"Surakarta is famous for its batik. We can be the center of designs in the future," David added.

In addition, strong cultural value and art in Surakarta continues to grow, producing artists and various art performances. David believed that diverse art performances are crucial for creative economy development.

Head of Economist at the Surakarta Development Agency, Sukriyah, said there are 15 sectors of creative industry in Surakarta.

"There are batik centers in Kauman and Laweyan, shuttle cock manufacturers in Tipes and bird cage centers in Mojosongo," Sukriyah said.

According to Sukriyah, batik and art performance have the potential to be marketed at national scale, adding that each district in Surakarta has its own art performances.

UKKY PRIMARTANTYO