Pristina, December 10, 2024
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated today and inaugurated the conference on the Creative Economy, entitled “Shifting Perspectives: Creators at the Forefront of Economic Change”, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
This conference, which addresses the creative economy, is garnering increasing institutional attention each day. Although a relatively new term, this concept has long been substantiated by very serious figures, demonstrating that creative talent significantly influences the development and growth of the economy, said the Prime Minister.
According to research by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), the creative industries sector in the global economy is valued at approximately 4.3 trillion dollars annually. Approximately 30 million jobs are generated worldwide each year, employing individuals aged 15 to 29 more than any other sector. According to UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development), the export of creative services reached the figure of 1.4 trillion dollars in 2022, marking an increase of 29% from the year 2017. On the other hand, the export of creative products has reached 713 billion, thus marking an increase of 19%,” stated the Prime Minister.
In Kosovo, the Creative Industry contributes 2.35% to Kosovo’s Gross Domestic Product and employs 18,920 individuals, which constitutes 5.2% of the entire workforce. This sector is the ninth largest in terms of employment. In general, this industry is divided into core creative industries and dependent or peripheral sectors. Primary industries include marketing, architecture, the art and antiques market, craftsmanship, design, fashion, film, software, interactive entertainment, music, performing arts, publishing, software and computer games, television, and radio. Peripheral sectors are connected to core creative industries and include more traditional industries such as manufacturing, sales, equipment and instruments, electronics, etc.
The Prime Minister stated that the Government of the Republic of Kosovo is following the trends of developed countries, which have formulated and adapted developmental policies for the creative economy, ensuring that the necessary space and conditions are created for the most rapid development of the creative economy.
Currently, the strategy for the creative economy is being drafted with extensive involvement from our public institutions, namely the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, followed by the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Local Government Administration, the Ministry of Finance, Labor and Transfers, and then with the Office for Strategic Planning within the Prime Minister’s Office, the Kosovo Agency of Statistics, and the Association of Kosovo Municipalities. This enterprise is supported by UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), the British Council, and Lund University, with funding from the Embassy of Luxembourg and the Swedish Embassy, and we extend our gratitude to all of them for the partnership and cooperation demonstrated thus far,” he added.
This sector is regarded as an important pillar of Kosovo’s Smart Specialization Strategy, which is being developed by the Office of the Prime Minister.
In concluding his speech, the Prime Minister thanked all the panelists participating today, along with the moderators, and expressed his hope that in addition to sharing good experiences, today there would be a substantial discussion about the path we need to pave ahead of us in relation to challenges and issues. This is so that we may create an environment that is as enabling, encouraging, and inspiring as possible for the further development of our shared creative economy. As speakers at the opening of the conference, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom, Jonathan Hargreaves, the Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Eric Dietz, and the Chair of the Global Council for Creative Economy and the Ambassador of the Mayor of London for Creative Economy, John Newbigin, were present.
All-day Conference “Perspective in Change: Creators at the Forefront of Economic Change” aims to expand the dialogue on the key opportunities and challenges in the development of the creative sector in Kosovo, as well as to share experiences and ideas for creating an environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth in the creative industry. The target audience for the conference includes professionals and creative entrepreneurs from marketing, design and architecture, craftsmanship, fashion, literature, cinematography, the gaming industry, visual and performing arts, publishing, television, and radio. Furthermore, the conference targets business associations, NGOs, international organizations, researchers, and young enthusiasts. The conference will be organized around three main themes: Raising the international profile of Kosovo; Empowering creative products and services in Kosovo and the Role of governments in developing a sustainable creative economy.
Full Speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Honorable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Mr. Hajrulla Çeku,
Honorable Ambassador of the United Kingdom, Mr. Jonathan Hargreaves,
Honorable Ambassador of Luxembourg, Mr. Eric Dietz,
Honorable Head of UNDP in Kosovo, Mr. Nuno Queiros,
Honorable Members of the Assembly of the Republic, Arjeta Fejza and Arjeta Rexhepi,
Honorable Deputy Ministers, colleagues from the Government, the Assembly of the Republic, and other state institutions,
Honorable attendees,
Ladies and gentleman,
It is with great pleasure that I open this entirely special conference, which will address the creative economy. This topic is receiving institutional attention more and more each day. Although a relatively new term, this concept has for some time now been substantiated by very serious figures, demonstrating that creative talent significantly influences the development and advancement of the economy.
According to UNESCO’s research (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), the creative industries sector in the global economy is valued at approximately 4.3 trillion dollars annually. Approximately 30 million jobs are generated worldwide each year, employing individuals aged 15 to 29 more than any other sector. According to UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development), the export of creative services reached the figure of 1.4 trillion dollars in 2022, marking an increase of 29% from the year 2017. On the other hand, the export of creative products has reached 713 billion, thus marking an increase of 19%.
These figures remind us that this dormant potential must be awakened and stimulated to yield its results within our economy as well. For this reason, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo is following the trends of developed countries, which have drafted and adapted developmental policies for the creative economy, ensuring that the necessary space and conditions are created for the most rapid development of the creative economy.
Currently, the strategy for the creative economy is being drafted with extensive involvement from our public institutions, namely the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, followed by the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Local Government Administration, the Ministry of Finance, Labor and Transfers, and then with the Office for Strategic Planning within the Prime Minister’s Office, the Kosovo Agency of Statistics, and the Association of Kosovo Municipalities. This enterprise is supported by UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), the British Council, and Lund University, with funding from the Embassy of Luxembourg and the Swedish Embassy, to whom we express our gratitude for the demonstrated partnership and collaboration thus far.
To ensure that we are on the right track in drafting this strategy, we are organizing a series of discussions among public and private institutions, civil society, as well as individuals. The first conference, which addressed the creative economy and marked the beginning of the strategy drafting process, was held in October of this year, with the participation of line ministers and numerous experts. Today, we will have the opportunity to hear directly from the creators themselves, those who are the essence and main component of the creative economy.
As a knowledge-based industry, the creative industry is gaining recognition in Kosovo as a potential pillar for economic growth, employment, and innovation. This sector is seen as an important pillar of Kosovo’s Smart Specialization Strategy, which is being developed by the Office of the Prime Minister. Additionally, the potential of the creative industry to promote sustainability is recognized in the Roadmap for Circular Economy in Kosovo.
I thank all the panelists participating today, along with the moderators, and I wish that in addition to sharing good experiences, today we also thoroughly discuss and deliberate on the path we need to pave ahead of us in relation to challenges and issues, so that we can create an environment that is as enabling, encouraging, and inspiring as possible for the further development of our shared creative economy.
Thank you.
Last modified: December 13, 2024