Next step is the acceptance of a National Strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries
This was a big year for cultural and creative industries in Croatia. For the first time, they have joined all of their sub-sectors (from architecture, design, gaming to music, film, media, advertising and others) and created a platform Creative Croatia, with the cooperation of the Croatian competitive cluster of creative and cultural industries and Croatian Employer’s Association. The goal of this platform is to take advantage of the economic potential of this industrial sector which is currently making more than 15 billion kuna in revenues per year and employs over 42 000 people or 3% of all people employed in Croatia.
Largest obstacles preventing an even more significant growth and development of this sector are very limiting regulations and lack of recognition of this industry as one of the most important economic factors in the country. That is why first researches have been organised in 2015 as well as extensive mapping studies of this sector.
United creative forces are asking for better institutional and legislative framework, instruments of incentive financing of business innovations as well as strengthening of public conscience when it comes to the importance of creative rights, copyright and other forms of intellectual property.
Results of the mapping study of cultural and creative industries in Croatia have confirmed all the trends that are present both in Europe and across the globe. This industry is extremely resistant to economic crisis, generates a significant percentage of GDP and creates jobs. These industries generate more than 2,6% of Croatian GDP with a revenue of over 15 billion kuna and their gross added value is 6,3 billion kuna.
Through the platform “Creative Croatia”, members of the Croatian creative industry have organised a Summit of creative and cultural industries where they had the chance to open a discussion about this important subject with the representatives of all leading political parties. They all agreed that without cultural and creative industries there is no market economy.
Next key step in 2016 for the members of this industry is the acceptance of the National Strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries.
„Creative industries generate innovations not only in our segment, but unfortunately they receive their validation in some other markets that have the prerequisites for their placement and production. We estimate that the growth of this industry in 2016 will be at least 10%, especially in computer games and new media. We will work tirelessly in creating a better and more enticing working environment which will enable local creative forces to realise their innovations in their own country and that the revenue generated from their work stays in Croatia” said Ivana Nikolić Popović, president of the Croatian competitive cluster of creative and cultural industries.
