SERIES OF MEASURES TO FOSTER THE DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL AND CREATIVE INDUSTRY

In recent years, it has become a major strategy for countries and regions around the world to focus on the development of the cultural and creative industry. Different regions have formulated strategic objectives in industrial transformation and upgrade and aim to develop the cultural and creative industry as a new growth area in the economy and to motivate economic growth.

The National Twelfth Five-Year Plan explicitly set out: to promote culture industry as a mainstay industry for domestic economy and to strengthen the capacity and competitiveness of the culture industry. The Plan also supports Macao to accelerate the development of the cultural and creative industry. The Framework Agreement on Guangdong-Macao Co-operation has been in operation for over a year and a number of co-operation projects in Hengqin and Nansha have been launched. Under the framework of the National Twelfth Five-Year Plan and the Framework Agreement on Guangdong-Macao Co-operation, there have been ample provisions for the development potential for Macao’s cultural and creative industry.

IDENTIFYING SHORT, MEDIUM AND LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES

The cultural and creative industry has been one of Macao’s priority emerging industries in recent years. The SAR government set up the Committee on Cultural Industry in May 2005 to assist in formulating policies, strategies and measures for the development of the cultural industry.

The committee has worked with Mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan experts and academics to study the orientation of Macao’s culture industry development. Based on Macao’s actual situation and taking into consideration the Framework Agreement on Guangdong-Macao Co-operation, the Committee has identified the short, medium and long term development objectives and made suggestions to motivate cultural tourism in the short run, while making use of the advantages of the regional co-operation platform to promote the integration between trade, economy and the cultural aspects in medium and long run. It also proposed an outline for related measures in a number of areas such as building a platform, developing a cultural environment, human resources, enterprise policy support, as well as brand building.

The first general plenary meeting of the Committee of Cultural Industries in 2012 was held in early July. It concluded the work they have accomplished since its inception two years ago, and introduced the results of the research in to the orientation of Macao’s cultural industries. It also introduced the preparation and principles for the setting up of the Fund for Cultural Industries.

The Fund will set up to support projects initiated by Macao’s cultural industries and encourage the development of moderate economic diversification. The legal framework for the Fund has almost been finalised. It will be submitted to the Executive Council for further discussion after consulting legal authorities and aims to complete legal procedures for setting up the fund this year. The main target of the Fund is the business companies in Macao. Subsidies will be in for three categories including a direct subsidy for which repayment to the government is not required, the second is an interest-free loan which aims to assist potential enterprises to develop cultural and creative projects and the last is incentive funding to encourage creative personnel and enhance overall incentives.

17TH MIF WILL SET UP THE CULTURAL AND CREATIVE INDUSTRY PAVILION WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF CHINA (SHENZHEN) INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL INDUSTRIES FAIR

To assist in exploring advertising channels for local cultural and creative units and to cooperate with counterparts in other regions, Macao has been taking part in the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) since 2006. The Macao Creative Pavilion was first set up in 2010. It was planned that cultural and creative organisations participate and promote local and cultural products and brands, promote the communication and development of cultural and creative organisations in Macao and other regions.

Pavilions and exhibitions zones with cultural and creative themes have become a highlight of MIF 2010. Based on the experience of the past two years, the 17th MIF to be held from 18 to 21 October at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel this year will introduce a new format of incorporating ICIF as part of the Cultural and Creative pavilion. It will further enhance interaction between cultural and creative activities with exhibitions and strengthen regional co-operation and further promote the development of moderate economic diversification.

ICIF is the only UFI-approved integrated cultural industry expo in China. It aims to develop a trade platform for Chinese cultural products and projects and foster the development of China’s cultural industry and actively promote Chinese cultural products to the world market.

INCREASE DISPLAY AREA AND CREATE FAVOURABLE CULTURAL AND CREATIVE ENVIRONMENT

The SAR Government is planning to transform the government buildings in the District of St. Lazaro to showcase cultural and creative products and activities and promote a growing sense of cultural and creative pride. The area is rich in Southern European architectural features. In early July this year, the Macau Fashion Gallery, jointly set up by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre, opened at 47 Rua de S. Roque to showcase Macao’s fashion designs and promote the development of local fashion industry as well as cultural and creative industry.

The Macao Creative Pavilion, located on the first floor of the Tourism and Culture Activity Centre (also known as the Yellow House) was opened in March 2011. The Pavilion was set up by Cultural Affairs Bureau by organising local cultural and creative operators to get together to showcase their diverse range of cultural and creative products. The Database for Cultural and Creative Industries, established in August 2010, has recruited information of Macao’s cultural and creative industries, including companies, organisations and individual artists. The Cultural Affairs Bureau also launched business promotion activities at the Yellow House which will last for two years from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2013. The event targets companies which have registered on the Database for Cultural and Creative Industries, to further encourage the development of local industry operators.

MACAO IDEAS – MACAO PRODUCTS DISPLAY CENTRE

IPIM set up Macao Ideas, the first Macao products display centre in the city. It was officially opened in May 2011 to promote Macao products, Macao brands, Macao designs and Sole Distributorship of Portuguese-Speaking Countries Products. It has become a major platform for SMEs to showcase products and explore markets.

The venue is divided into eight themed areas, the MI Creativity area showcases jewellery, as well as cultural and creative products, to be in line with the development of local cultural and creative industries. The Macao Ideas website also provides detailed information on products and manufacturers, IPIM staff on site will assist visitors in business negotiations and provide consultation services and promote co-operation.

MACAO IDEAS

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday and Sundays: 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Closed on Tuesdays and Public Holidays

Address:G/F Tourism Activities Centre, 431 Rua Luís Gonzaga Gomes, Macao
Tel: 853 2870 0620,Fax: 853 2870 0621
E-mail: macaoideas@ipim.gov.mo
Website: http://macaoideas.ipim.gov.mo