Statistics on Cultural Industries - International Trade Centre

There is considerable capacity in Bhutan for both planning and data analysis that can be applied tothis sector, and there are institutions which are already engaged in important activities pertainingto sector development (e.g. the Intellectual Property Protection Office under the Ministry of Trade,and the Centre for Bhutan Studies). Similarly, there are some professional organizations that mayassist in awareness building and mobilization of the cultural industries sector’s many and diversestakeholders. 12 However, for the moment this potential capacity is not positioned to promotecultural industries sector development.The absence of information and statistical data about how the cultural industries sector functions,prevents comprehensive planning and direction for this sector in an effective and equitable way.As Bhutan undergoes political and administrative decentralization, the lack of interdepartmentalcommunication will increasingly emerge as a potential issue which could undermine many growthareas. A robust and accurate statistical base, shared by all, is a key to enhance interdepartmentalco-ordination and informed decision-making under these conditions of decentralization. Mappingof the cultural industries sector is a pre-requisite for planning and policy formulation and mustinclude the totality of the resource base and the cultural institutions that support it, as well asenterprises based on traditional or contemporary knowledge systems.The lack of financing mechanisms for private sector business development similarly hinges onthe absence of detailed information on the economics and organization of such businesses. Theentrepreneurs in the cultural industries often represent a specific and new business model andmarket structure, and many of the professional skills involved in cultural industries (e.g. publishing,performing arts, crafts) are simply not perceived as keys to regular industries or businesses whichmeans that they are not the recipients of support and cannot access credit facilities on par withother businesses.<strong>Statistics</strong> on Cultural IndustriesFramework for the Elaboration of National Data Capacity Building ProjectsAccess to reliable statistical data on these business activities is a key for the development of thecultural industries sector, especially in terms of private sector enterprise in Bhutan which currentlyis very low.In the context of the Paro Initiative, the Royal Bhutanese government will (as mentioned above) hosta BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory that will undertake research, clearinghouse functions,and statistical analysis of data pertaining to the cultural industries sector in Bhutan and in theregion. The results of the present project (both in terms of data and trained human resources) area necessary initial contribution to the knowledge base of such an institution.The existing statistical surveys could provide a basis for the needed data collection and analysis.Hence, both the Bhutan Living Standards Survey (BLSS) and the geographical mapping system couldbecome powerful tools in the planning and mapping of cultural resources, in the identification ofpotential for cultural industries development, and in the application of cluster strategies.According to the Director of the National <strong>Statistics</strong> Bureau (NSB), Mr. Kuenga Tshering, it is quitepossible to add some statistical data on culture in the next edition of the Statistical Yearbook ofBhutan as such data are regularly collected by the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs. However,in order to support informed policy development and effective planning and investment forindustries based in the cultural sector, it is necessary to produce more comprehensive data as12. The stakeholders in the four groups include: government (Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Finance,Ministry of Labour and Human Resources, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Trade and Industry, etc.), academia (e.g. Centrefor Bhutan Studies), private sector companies and organizations, and financing institutions.70