As the new head of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, the export promotion arm of the trade and industry department, Pauline Suaco-Juan aims to strengthen the Philippine creative industry as an engine of economic growth.
In 2014 alone, the Philippine creative industry has contributed over P660 billion to the economy based on a report by the World Intellectual Property Organization. This is equivalent to about 7.34 percent of the country’s growth domestic product on that same year.
In terms of employment, the contribution of the sector to the economy is among the highest in the world. Filipino workers in the advertising, film and video, music, performing arts, publishing, broadcasting, visual, game development, and graphic arts make up around 11 percent of the country’s labor force as of 2014.
However, Filipino creatives only ranked 22nd in their contribution to the country’s GDP despite taking up a big portion of the labor market based on the same WIPO report.
“There is a significant disconnect between how much we depend on the creative industries for employment and how much we value their contributions to the economy,” lamented Suaco-Juan.
“That is why there is a strong need to advance the Philippine creative industry. While relatively in its infancy development stage, the sector continues to demonstrate its economic potential and viability largely thanks to Filipino talents who are recognized worldwide,” she added.
Filipino creatives’ capabilities will be highlighted at the second CREATE Philippines 2018, happening on Sept. 22-23 at the basement 1 of the Globe Tower, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
CREATE Philippines is the country’s first international creative industry trade platform that promotes continued learning, knowledge exchange, and business networking.
The lineup of activities includes masterclass and lecture sessions, portfolio exhibit, business consultation and networking event, and workshop and talks.
Visit www.citem.com/createphilippines for more information.
