The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has called on creative entrepreneurs to avail of government loans to finance efforts to penetrate the bigger market.
DTI Cebu provincial director Nelia V. Flores-Navarro said in a statement that the agency, through Small Business Corp., has a P2.7-million credit facility for creative entrepreneurs.
She urged creative entrepreneurs to participate in the 4th Southeast Asian Creative Cities Network (SEACCN) Forum at the City Sports Club Cebu today.
The forum, which carries the theme “AUTHENTI-CITIES: Identity and Unity in Diversity,” is seen to boost Cebu’s position as an Asean City of Culture and one of the most creative cities in the world, Navarro said.
Among the speakers are representatives of Creative Chiang Mai (Thailand), Think City (Penang, Malaysia) and Bandung Creative City Forum (Indonesia).
Other speakers are urban and creative experts, representatives of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Asia-Europe Foundation and the British Council.
The creative economy is defined as industries which have their origin in individual creativity, skill and talent. In the Philippines, the industry includes advertising, animation, architecture, broadcast arts, crafts, culinary arts, cultural/heritage activities, design, film, literature, music, new media, performing arts, publishing, and visual arts.
The SEACCN is a network of cities, organizations, groups and individuals in Southeast Asia that are actively involved in promoting creativity.