Tashkent, Uzbekistan—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) championed the Philippines’ prowess in the global creative economy at the 4th World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE), held from October 2 to 4.

Leading the Philippine delegation, DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group Assistant Secretary Leonila T. Baluyut highlighted the Philippines’ significant contribution during the launch of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Creative Economy Outlook 2024.

Assistant Secretary Baluyut also showcased the Philippines’ leadership in creative economy policy with Republic Act No. 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act.

“As an industrial policy, the passage of the PCIDA is not merely about boosting creativity in select sectors—it’s about empowering every region of the country to tap into creative industries for sustainable growth,” said DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group Assistant Secretary Leonila T. Baluyut.

“Through PCIDA, we are enhancing the value and appeal of Filipino products for a growing consumer base in emerging industries based on sustainable production, the digital economy, Industry 4.0, intellectual property, and others,” she added.

Composed of Creative Industries Development Office (CIDO) OIC-Director Lilian G. Salonga and Program Managers Basil Andres and Gio Franco Gomez, the Philippine delegation made a strong impression at the conference. While PCIDA garnered significant praise, the delegation highlighted the Philippines’ broader efforts and achievements in the sector.

The Philippines’ active participation in the conference strengthened ties with international partners like UNCTAD and countries such as Uzbekistan, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan. This reinforced the country’s potential to play a key role in establishing a regional network of creative economy stakeholders within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations framework.

On the sidelines of the conference, the Philippine delegation visited the Liwayway Marketing Corporation’s factory in Uzbekistan, a renowned producer of the globally recognized snack brand Oishi. Engaging with Filipino plant managers and staff, the delegation gained insights into the working conditions and the business environment in Uzbekistan and Central Asia. The discussions also highlighted the region’s growth prospects and opportunities for Filipino enterprises, eager to expand into international markets.

This year’s WCCE, organized by Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, gathered 14,640 participants, including global leaders, creatives, policymakers, and students from 73 countries. This underscored the creative economy’s growing importance in fostering innovation and inclusivity and addressing emerging challenges, such as artificial intelligence’s impact on the creative sector.

A key trend established during the 4th WCCE was the resurgence of analog-based creative products, which signals a renewed interest in traditional arts and crafts alongside digital advancements.  ♦

Date of Release: 18 October 2024

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