New initiatives set to boost the cultural and creative sector in Dubai
- Last updated: December 10, 2021 | 14:09
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
In a new step aligned with its role as a planner, enabler and regulator of the cultural and creative sector in the Emirate, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has launched ‘The Dubai Framework for Cultural Statistics’. It sets a comprehensive, local statistical framework and classification of the domains and activities of the creative economy in the Emirate, in accordance with international references and standards in the field.
Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, said that the new statistical framework has been developed to suit the Emirate’s cultural position through the use of data points, that allow international comparison. She said: “The cultural and creative industries sectors in Dubai have witnessed a steady organic growth over the past years, thanks to a number of factors. “The credit for this goes the support of our wise leadership for this promising sector and the efforts that Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has endeavoured in strengthening the creative sector’s three pillars, which are the human capital of creative talents, the cornerstone of the creative economy — which the sector directly depends on.
“The second strength point is the supportive institutional and regulatory environment that the government provides in terms of policies and legislation, providing opportunities for partnerships and promising markets for the sector. “Last but not least, is the availability of enablers that support the sector’s health, such as the physical environment (the maturity of urban infrastructure) and the spatial environment (the high quality of life); exclusivity, where the unique features of the city allow it to generate value, attract and develop creative talent, and for the public to enjoy its output, provide the supporting infrastructure (social networks, incentives and support) and a mature digital environment, as digitalisation enables innovation and develops methods and tools that can increase access to the entire value chain of some sectors of the cultural and creative industries, enhancing their efficiency.
“All of this has enabled Dubai to attract global investments and creative talents in this vital and important creative sector.” She added: “In order to achieve a sustainable environment for the sector’s growth, and formulate impactful policies based on concrete facts, it is necessary to collect reliable statistical data in line with global trends in the field, to produce comparable results that support the decision making process. “Therefore, we worked on developing ‘The Dubai Framework for Cultural Statistics’ by relying on the UNESCO Framework for Cultural Statistics as the main reference within the creative industry, and the Eurostat framework, with the addition of classifications and descriptions that fit the local cultural and creative scene and serves the creative sector in Dubai.”
The Dubai Framework for Cultural Statistics includes international statistical classification systems and current international standards within international classification code tables, production activities tables, and cultural goods and services and their definitions, according to the International Standard Industrial Classification. The cultural fields that are defined in the framework represent six main sectors: cultural and natural heritage, books and press, performing arts and celebration, audio-visual and interactive media, visual arts and crafts, and design and creative services, in addition to other fields that branch out from it. Dubai Culture, in partnership with the Department of Economy and Tourism, has also launched ‘Creatives’ Journey’ as part of the ‘Invest in Dubai’ platform, the unified digital platform for establishing businesses in Dubai.
The project is a step towards facilitating doing business for creative talents and provides an innovative and flexible environment that supports them in establishing their projects in Dubai within minutes, on one platform. It is in line with the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy launched in April by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to ensure the development and prosperity of the creative sector in the Emirate by providing the legislative, investment and technical environment necessary for the growth of this sector, as well as by increasing the Emirate’s attractiveness to talents, investors and entrepreneurs in the creative field, thus contributing to transforming Dubai into a global capital of the creative economy.
It is also in line with Dubai Culture’s vision of strengthening Dubai’s position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity and a thriving hub for talent, in addition to the Authority’s adoption of advanced and innovative solutions in the arts and culture fields. Creatives’ Journey allows the possibility of establishing projects through simple, flexible and fast steps on one uniform platform and within seven minutes, including entering the Invest in Dubai platform, heading to the page regarding the creative sector, choosing the creative activity, and defining the legal form. Creative entrepreneurs can then obtain the establishment certificate issued by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, followed by a payment portal to receive the licence.
They can also obtain competitive services and benefits that will support them in launching and developing their business through offers that include immediate application for a cultural visa as a competitive advantage provided by Dubai Culture as well as support services, the provision of flexible creative workspaces and banking and educational services, which will be announced soon. Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, said: “This step will provide talents with a unified electronic platform that will facilitate the steps to establish and launch their projects from Dubai. “It will also contribute to supporting the Al Quoz Creative Zone project by attracting many talents to establish their businesses in the innovative incubator.” Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “Continuing to promote sustainable economic development in Dubai and the UAE in general, is the basis of our journey towards the next 50 years.”