DESPITE their contribution of five to 10 percent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), various creative industries have remained to be “neglected” by the government.
This was the sentiment expressed by Henry Schumacher, executive vice president of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), during his visit in Cebu yesterday for the launch of a research program initiated by the ECCP.
“I think there is no real program (to support) the creative industry,” he said.
Schumacher said that for a number of years, ECCP has been talking to the government to focus on the development of creative industries in the country as they compose a “substantial market.”
The creative industries, said Schumacher, include those involved in the performing arts, music, painting, advertising, multi-media design, broadcasting and all other types of design.
From ECCP’s point of view, the creative design industry, is an area where the Philippines can “do very well,” next to the business process outsourcing, medical and eco-tourism sectors.
“My biggest concern is we are exporting talent (and) designers to China, Singapore, (and) everywhere. (But) we should keep them here, create design houses, sell designs and not the people,” Schumacher said. He added that it would be helpful if either Manila or Cebu will be identified as a focal location for design in the country.
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But to achieve this, he said the government needs to recognize that the creative industry is part of the country’s future.
To be able to compete with other Asian countries, the government should invest in upgrading the industry’s design capabilities.
“We have to recognize that investment in new design and new designers will pay off,” he said.
Schumacher also mentioned that the country’s strength has always been in design. Even if other Asian countries are claiming to be the design capital of Asia, “Filipino designers in Singapore” are still the best creative designers, he said.
Eric Casas, president of the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc. (CFIF), said that during “these trying times,” there are a lot of opportunities for the government to be part of the industry.
Casas said a number of government agencies have already promised to give financial assistance to the industry.
“Hopefully, we can tap these agencies soon,” he said.
He also said the export fund from the Export Development Council “will be released pretty soon.”
This fund will be released through CFIF to assist the general needs of the industry, he noted. (DME)
