DTI forges creative city partnerships in UK

SCOTLAND, UNITED KINGDOM — The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) spearheaded a strategic partnership initiative with Scotland’s UNESCO-designated Creative Cities, strengthening ties with Dundee, Perth, and Glasgow.

The collaboration aims to bolster socio-economic growth, cultural enrichment, and social cohesion through creative industries.

Under the aegis of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council (PCIDC), which the DTI chairs, the meeting focused on learning from the UK’s strategies in utilizing its cities’ creative talents to drive development. The engagement is in line with the DTI’s mission to support Philippine cities in gaining UNESCO Creative City status.

“The integration of best practices and innovative approaches from our British counterparts enables us to craft tailored strategies to uplift our own creative cities,” said DTI Secretary Fred Pascual. He emphasized the potential for synergies that could benefit both countries’ creative sectors.

The Philippines already boasts three UNESCO Creative Cities: Baguio for Crafts and Folk Arts (2017), Cebu for Design (2019), and Iloilo for Gastronomy (2023). To expand this list, the DTI has launched the Lunsod Lunsad Program, which offers strategic support to cities aspiring to become global creative hubs. This initiative includes capacity building, collaborative projects, and funding access to maximize local creative potentials.

During the visit, the delegation engaged with officials from Abertay University in Dundee, exploring their innovative approaches in game development and digital animation, industries that are pivotal to both the UK and the Philippines.

The visit, conducted from May 8-10, 2024, also included a tour of Abertay University’s facilities, showcasing the advanced resources and technologies available to support educational and industrial growth in digital creative fields. This exposure provides actionable insights into developing infrastructure to support the digital economy, a priority for the DTI.

Organized by the British Council, this mission is part of the PCIDC’s broader agenda to tap into the global creative economy and establish enduring international collaborations that enhance the Philippines’ creative industry capabilities.