Statistics on Cultural Industries - International Trade Centre

ANNEX 3Paro InitiativeThe Expert Group Meeting on BIMSTEC Cultural Industries commission and BIMSTECCultural Industries ObservatoryI. Introduction<strong>Statistics</strong> on Cultural IndustriesFramework for the Elaboration of National Data Capacity Building ProjectsThe First BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on Culture (Paro, 23 rd – 25 th May 2006) appreciated andagreed on the rationale, vision and strategy proposed in the Concept Paper for co-operation inculture prepared by Bhutan. The Ministerial Meeting decided to adopt it as the Paro Initiative,which will serve as a roadmap for socio-economic progress driven by cultural industries in theBIMSTEC region. The Paro Initiative as contained in Annex I, inter-alia, calls for establishing a BIMSTECCultural Industries Observatory (CIO), to be located in Bhutan, and a BIMSTEC Cultural IndustriesCommission (CIC). In this regard, it agreed to hold a Meeting of Expert Groups (EG) in India, chairedby Bhutan, to consider a Working Paper circulated by Bhutan for views and comments by theMember States. As mandated by the Meeting, this Working Paper will essentially seek to spell outthe mandate, structure and other details of CIC and CIO on the basis of the outcome of the FirstMinisterial Meeting on Culture. The Meeting also decided on the following terms of reference forEG:Study the concept and scope of CIC and CIO in their operational details;Recommend an appropriate institutional framework for the CIC and CIO;Identify specific areas of operation of CIC and CIO;Specify expected outputs and outcomes for CIC and CIO; andProvide financial estimates for the functioning of CIC and CIOIt is recommended that a single Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the establishment ofCIC and CIO be considered by the Expert Group with a view to harness complementarities andsynergies between the two to effectively promote Cultural Industries as a strategy for povertyreduction and community vitalization in the BIMSTEC region.II.–––––Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of BIMSTECCulture Industries Commission and BIMSTEC Cultural Industries ObservatoryRecalling that the First BIMSTEC Summit recognized the pluralistic nature of our societies, ourshared cultural heritage and the rich diversity of languages, arts, crafts and traditions that provideample opportunity for multi-dimensional co-operation within our region;Having regard to the conviction of the Member States that the geographical location of theBIMSTEC countries and their rich natural and human resources provide a sound basis for mutuallybeneficial co-operation and collective prosperity;Bearing in mind that development and promotion of cultural industries can positively impact onthe twin areas of community vitalization and poverty reduction for socio-economic progress andcultural development as enunciated in the Paro Initiative adopted at the First BIMSTEC MinisterialMeeting on Culture;106