The Philippines is eyeing to increase its share in the global creative industries market by partnering with like-minded countries such as Japan in advancing sustainability and innovation, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Sunday.
Speaking before the Creative & Sustainable Economy Through Innovation Event spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry, the President said the Philippine Creative Economy stands tall as a prime contributor to sustainable economic development.
“One way to accelerate this is in partnering with like-minded countries such as Japan. In the Philippines, we are not just witnessing economic growth; we are crafting a legacy of innovation, creativity, and sustainability for generations to come,” President Marcos said during the event held on the sidelines of the Commemorative Summit for the 50th year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in Tokyo.
The global creative industries market, estimated at USD 2.6 trillion in 2022, is projected to reach up to USD 3.4 trillion in 2028, “as we intend to increase our share of the pie of these numbers,” Marcos told event, organized by the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Tokyo.
The President said he was delighted to know that the event provided opportunities for Filipino and Japanese collaborators such as Auro and Mitsukoshi, Banana Cloth, Go Lifestyle Group and STYLEM, and Neun Farben in areas of food, lifestyle, retail, textiles, and game development and animation.
With regard to game development and animation aspect, the President said he looks forward to seeing the works of Filipino talents in computer animation specializing in Japanese-stylized animation as displayed by exhibitor from Neun Farben of Japan which has established a successful studio in the Philippines.
“I am very optimistic that this collective effort towards a creative and sustainable economy will foster great opportunities and prosperity for the Philippines and Japan,” he said.
During the event, the President acknowledged the tireless efforts of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos in assuming the role of patron for indigenous textiles, design services, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), public health services, and other causes aimed at protecting the environment, and supporting many creative projects and innovative enterprises.
Highlighting the immense challenge in attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) by 2030 that requires an annual global investment of US$5.4 trillion, Marcos said the Tokyo event is an intersection of innovation, creativity, and sustainability where the global community could collaborate to secure a brighter and more sustainable future.
Citing a recent record, Marcos said data speaks volumes—the impact investment market was US$1.2 trillion in 2022, the global exports of creative goods and services reached US$1.6 trillion in 2020. It is predicted to contribute 10 percent to global gross domestic product (GDP) by the same year.
“Our global investment in the low-carbon energy transition, totaling USD 1.1 trillion in 2022, with USD 495 million dedicated to the renewable energy sector, reflects our dedication to a greener and more sustainable future,” he said.
The “Creative and Sustainable Economy Through Innovation” event is the first of its kind activity in a Presidential visit as it features an exhibit and fashion show that exemplifies Philippine-Japan collaboration that is innovation-led and SDG-anchored.
The fashion show featured the contemporary collection of young Filipino designers using indigenous Philippine fabrics blended with high quality traceable Japanese textiles. PND
