Strengthening ASEAN connectivity in promoting creative economy

This is the opinion of experts attending the workshop “Thailand and ASEAN Creative Economy” held on September 16 in Bangkok, Thailand, affirming the importance of enhancing ASEAN connectivity in further promoting the creative economy - the world's key economic growth driver.

Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa affirmed the importance of the creative economy with a revenue of nearly 2,300 billion USD/year, contributing 3.1% of global GDP.

At the workshop, leading experts in the field of creative economy from ASEAN countries, China, Korea and the US discussed ways to further promote ASEAN's creative industries and support creative talents.

Speaking at the event, Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa affirmed the importance of the creative economy with a revenue of nearly 2,300 billion USD/year, contributing 3.1% of global GDP.

Minister Maris also emphasized Thailand’s consistent policy in promoting the creative economy: “Nurturing the creative economy has always been a major policy of Thailand. We have been promoting creative industries not only in Thailand but also in the region for the past two decades. This is also a key area to stimulate the economy of the Government led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, as stated in the new Government’s policy statement in the Parliament last week.”

Minister Maris said that Thailand's creative economy contributed more than 32 billion USD (1,100 billion baht) in 2021, accounting for nearly 7% of the country's GDP. Data shows that more than 70% of countries in the world have developed policies to exploit the potential of the creative economy, considering it a major source of job creation, currently accounting for about 6% of global employment. Therefore, Minister Maris said that ASEAN countries need to make more efforts to coordinate and support each other in terms of building national policies on the creative economy, towards a more prosperous and creative future for ASEAN.

Sharing this view, Ms. Phongsaward Guyaroonsuith, representative of Thailand’s Soft Power Strategy Committee, said: “Thailand believes that integrating creativity in preserving and promoting the country’s cultural heritage can bring great economic value. Thailand’s creative economy plays a pivotal role, promising to bring great economic value not only to Thailand but also to the entire ASEAN. Creativity has no borders and by working together, we can tap into the full potential of ASEAN’s rich culture, positioning ASEAN as a leading region in the global creative economy.”

Thailand’s approach to the creative economy focuses on three main areas, said Phongsaward Guyaroonsuith. First, the country plans to develop creative talent through the “One Family, One Soft Power Program” model, which aims to improve the quality of the country’s creative and skilled human resources. The model aims to promote crafts, arts, culture, and modern technology such as AI to drive creativity across Thailand.

Next, the Thai government has a policy to promote creative industries by creating a friendly business environment, many incentives with management support measures in areas such as tourism, fashion, cuisine, ... where creativity and culture are integrated to create high-value products.

Finally, to expand Thailand’s creative products and services in the global market, the country is committed to promoting the export of cultural products that reflect the heritage of the ASEAN region, which is culturally diverse and home to some of the world’s most vibrant and innovative creative industries.

During the discussions, speakers agreed that further promoting cooperation among ASEAN countries is the only way for ASEAN to quickly turn its cultural strengths into global opportunities.

Source: https://vov.vn/kinh-te/tang-cuong-ket-noi-asean-trong-thuc-day-kinh-te-sang-tao-post1121956.vov