Creative Industry Can Contribute To Rural Diversification - Musa
KOTA KINABALU, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- The creative industry can contribute to rural diversification, says Sabah Chief Minister, Tan Sri Musa Aman.
He said in this regard, the creative industry in rural areas can help generate potential for sustainable high-quality enterprises and employment opportunities.
"The industry's growth in rural areas correlates to rising levels of disposable income and better education opportunities.
"The role played by the creative industry in rural areas needs to be more widely acknowledged and better understood by local governments, to pursue innovative policies and plans aimed at rural development.
"Policy makers should routinely integrate the creative industry in the re-development plans for town centres, as well as the tourism strategies and marketing initiatives, to attract and retain skilled and creative individuals," he added.
Musa said this at a seminar on nurturing Sabah's rural creative communities here today. The text of his speech was read by State Special Tasks Minister, Datuk Teo Chee Kang.
The seminar was organised by the Institute of Development Studies Sabah (IDS), together with the German-based Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Foundation, in collaboration with the Society of Performing Arts Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (SPArKS).
Musa said policymakers were interested in the creative industry for its ability to contribute to economic growth, and it had also been identified as the cornerstone in the transformation of economies in places like New Zealand, South Korea and Hong Kong.
He said the local creative industry should look at the various strengths and advantages that Sabah had in terms of creative resources.
"Sabah is well-recognised for its cultural diversity, with vast resources in the fields of performing and visual arts, film and handicraft.
"The state is also an internationally-established tourist destination, particularly in ecotourism, due to its assortment of world-class natural attractions, making it an attractive destination for documentaries and commercial photography," he added.
-- BERNAMA
