By Yasmin Ramlan
PETALING JAYA, June 27 — The state government is drawing up an ambitious blueprint to push Selangor cities to attain creative status by 2030.
Deputy state secretary (development) Datuk Johary Anuar said the drafting of the creative economy strategy will take into account proposals raised in today’s Selangor Creative Cities Conference, organised by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).
The objective of the conference was to establish the Selangor Creative Cities Network, which would be designed to foster collaboration among cities in the state.
It aims to cultivate sustainable cities by promoting creative and cultural industries.
“In developing creative cities, we aim to explore opportunities to bridge gaps with industry players and to determine how the state government can support the creative industry in Selangor,” he told reporters at the MBPJ Civic Hall here today.
Johary said the conference gathered local authorities and agencies in Selangor to strategise towards achieving the creative cities goal.
He highlighted challenges faced by industry players, such as licensing issues for performances, permits, limited performance spaces as well as grants and funding.
The initiative is part of the Unesco Creative Cities Network (UCCN) programme introduced in 2004, which engages cities worldwide to promote collaboration and recognises creativity as a key strategic factor in sustainable urban development.
Johary pointed out that the UCCN has seven categories for creative cities — community arts and crafts, art and design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, and music.
“The creative economy is a significant industry that contributes to national economic growth and development.
“If we consider the gross domestic product of a country, approximately 3 per cent is contributed by the creative economy,” he said in his speech at the conference.
Johary highlighted the substantial economic impact and growth potential of the creative industry and its activities, noting that the creative economy has the capacity to contribute nearly US$2 trillion (RM9.4 trillion) to the global economy.
“It’s an economic opportunity that we should be focused on, particularly industry players in the creative economy,” he said.
Johary cited the United States and the United Kingdom as examples of countries that place great emphasis on the creative industry, with both nations ranking high in the Global Soft Power Index.
He noted that international relations, food industry and the entertainment sector are among the criteria that contribute to a country’s ranking in the index.
“Soft power is the ability to attract interests from other countries or communities at the international level without coercion or direct investment demands.
“People are drawn to a country because of cultural or artistic aspects or perceived value,” he said.
Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya Mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon said the conference today included presentations from the Eastern Regional Organisation for Planning and Housing, Indonesia Creative City Network, and UCCN representatives from the Ipoh City Council, among others.
“This conference is essential, and we hope the blueprint will serve as a valuable reference for the future,” he told reporters.
