Creative Economy: A Feasible Development Option

CHAPTER10 Lessons learned and policy options10.1 Lessons learnedThis report broadly reaffirms and validates the findingsand recommendations of the 2008 report, but goes astep further. It not only provides a deeper analysis, includingadditional research and more recent data and information,but also broadens concepts and identifies more clearly criticalareas requiring target policy interventions by countries.Moreover, it brings new reflections taking into account thefar-reaching consequences of the economic crisis and themitigating policies towards economic recovery. The reportalso contributes to the process of reorienting developmentthinking towards more equitable, people-centred and sustainablepolicies.All countries, developing and developed alike, areenormously rich in cultural diversity and creative talents.Their traditions provide a unique heritage of music, crafts,arts, rituals, dances, performances, storytelling and culturalpractices. These manifestations of local and national culturalexpressions are assets, representing the indisputablecultural capital, both tangible and intangible, on which thelives of the community are founded. These assets can, inturn, give rise to a complex array of creative products —goods and services (commercial and non-commercial) withboth cultural and economic value that personify the expressionsof the creativity and talent of the people.Creative products and cultural activities have realpotential to generate economic and social gains. The productionand distribution of creative products can yieldincome, employment and trade opportunities, while fosteringsocial cohesion and community interaction.Globalization and the rapid uptake of new informationand communication technologies (ICTs) have opened uphuge possibilities for the commercial development ofcreative products. Indeed, it is the adoption of newtechnologies and a focus on market expansion that are distinguishingcharacteristics of the creative industries asdynamic sectors in the world economy.Gradually these trends are being reflected in theexperience of developing countries. Some parts of thedeveloping world, notably Asia, are enjoying strong growthin their creative industries. However, in other developingregions the situation is more nuanced. This report showsthe rapid growth in the exports of creative goods and servicesas indicators of the strength of the creative industriesin contemporary society. In the period 2002-2008, worldexports of creative goods and services grew at unprecedentedlevels by 11 and 17 per cent, respectively. Growth ratesin developing countries as a whole exceeded those in developedcountries, thanks to the exceptional performance ofChina. South-South trade of creative goods accounted for15 per cent of world exports in 2008, a sign of the growingpenetration of developing countries in global markets.These results provide a strong hint of the potential that stillawaits developing countries to take better advantage of theircreative economy for development gains.Certainly there are obstacles, at the national andinternational levels, that need to be tackled so that developingcountries can optimize the new opportunitiesoffered by the creative economy for generating jobs, revenuesand export earnings while promoting social inclusion,cultural diversity and a more human development.These opportunities are more visible today and cannot bemissed. In general, some of the main domestic constrainsconfronted by many countries are:■■■the lack of a clear framework for understanding and analyzingthe overall interactions of the creative economy asa basis for tailored and forward-looking policymaking;the absence of data about the performance of differentcreative industries as a basis to shape concrete initiativessuch as support for small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs), clustering, financing, etc.;the unusual organizational characteristics of the creativeCREATIVE ECONOMY REPORT 201010Lessons learned and policy options253