To help strengthen the creative industry’s local economic contribution and global impact, the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem) is inviting Filipino talents to register in its expanded online platform to promote themselves to the international market.
Its platform CreatePhilippines.com (https://createphilippines.com/) is now open, offering a centralized directory for all creative companies and individuals as a first step in creating an omnichannel approach in their promotions here and abroad.
According to Citem Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan, this portal will not only highlight case studies and their journeys through engaging content but also help capacitate the sector.
“We want the Create platform to be a starting point for collaboration within diverse sectors of the country’s creative economy,” she said.
Based on data presented by Creative Economy Council of the Philippines (CECP) President Paolo Mercado, the Philippines generates $4.1 billion worth of creative exports, making it the fifth-largest and most valuable creative economy in Southeast Asia.
The Filipino market for creative services, he said, is the largest in the region, amounting to $3.2 billion.
Given this, the CECP has created a road map with a vision for the Philippines to become the largest creative economy among its peers in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region by 2030.
Policy-wise, Senate Bill 2455 or the Philippine Creative Industries Act is the country’s latest legislative effort to centralize and address the welfare of the Filipino creative economy. It has been approved on second reading with amendments last January 31.
If passed into law, the bill will establish the Philippines’ Creative Industries Development Council, which is tasked with creating specialized codes for the creative industries in the Philippine Standard Industrial Classification, along with defining the industry’s key performance indicators.
The industries it includes are audiovisual media, digital interactive media, creative services, design, publishing and printed media, performing arts, visual arts, traditional cultural expressions, and cultural sites.
Being the export promotions arm of the Department of Trade and Industry, Citem has strengthened its Create Philippines brand through its inaugural digital conference last year dubbed “Creative Futures.”
“We believe that the capabilities of the Philippines’ creative industries can also boost economic growth and can generate export sales, through this initiative we hope to aid our creatives to reach their fullest potential,” Juan said.
Registration in CreatePhilippines.com is free of charge. Aspiring creatives must submit the following documents: digital portfolio containing their brand story, projects, and list of clients; any government-issued ID for individuals or valid Business Permit for business and companies; and Bureau of Internal Revenue Certificate of Registration.
By signing up in its directory, participants will be provided a complimentary digital booth in the 2022 Creative Futures Digital Conference—it’s second leg is in July—and can maximize the year-round promotional activities of Create Philippines. Also, they can join in a raffle promo until March 25 to win prizes.
