Montenegro needs to integrate creativity into wider economic strategies, turning cultural resources into significant drivers of employment, innovation and global influence, said Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujović.
She said this at the opening of Creative Meetings in Podgorica, which are organized as part of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and Media and the British Council.
Vujović pointed out that the Montenegrin creative community has the potential to function as a cohesive and dynamic scene, both at the national and international level.
According to her, creative industries and creative economies are one of the most dynamic sectors of the global economy, and creative encounters play a key role in their development.
"Creative industries are one of the fastest growing sectors in the world, with great potential for employment and sustainable development," Vujović pointed out.
As she added, the United Kingdom is a world leader in the creative industries and it was one of the few sectors in which the income of the British economy increased during the corona virus pandemic.
She reminded that five public tenders for co-financing of projects and programs in the field of creative industries were held in Montenegro in five years, through which the relevant ministry, as she stated, supported 650 projects with EUR 103.
"That's not enough, but it was a wind at the back of dozens of successful enterprises. Creative industries in Montenegro have become more represented in public discourse, and their position has certainly improved to a significant extent, but they still haven't realized their full potential," Vujović said. .
As she added, the goal is for Montenegro, as the United Kingdom has done, to successfully integrate creativity into broader economic strategies, turning cultural resources into significant drivers of employment, innovation and global influence.
"And for success in that area, continuous innovation, adaptation to digital technologies and the development of new skills are necessary," Vujović pointed out.
She emphasized that she believes that the creative sector, that is, the creative community of Montenegro, has the potential to function as a cohesive and dynamic scene, both at the national and international level.
"I am sure that this event will inspire the participants to think creatively about how to use the potential of their own creative economies, as well as to think more boldly about their creative potentials and ambitions," said Vujović.
Director for the Western Balkans at the British Council Claire Sears said that the Creative Meetings are an opportunity to really understand the challenges and needs of the creative industries sector, as well as to open a dialogue, share best practices and examples.
"We listen to each other and share ideas. We will take what we have learned and consider how we can make decisions and we hope for a series of recommendations that we will be able to implement," said Sears.
As she added, it is not something that is achieved easily and quickly.
"It will be a difficult job and will require a lot of effort, dedication and open dialogue between the creative economy, the Ministry of Culture and of course, the wider government," said Sirs.
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