Qatar's cultural and creative industries contribute QR20bn, says Invest Qatar

Doha's cultural and creative industries (CCIS) contributed as much as QR20bn to the local economy during 2021, which is 3% gross domestic product (GDP), according to Invest Qatar.Their contribution reflected the economic value generated through the creation, production and distribution of products and services in CCIS, Invest Qatar said in its latest report.The top three CCI-related business activities are advertising and market research (QR1.5bn); computer programming, consultancy and related activities (QR1.4bn); and manufacturing of wearing apparel (QR0.8bn), it said."Qatar has emerged as a vibrant and dynamic melting pot for CCIS, underpinned by a solid foundation of support and enabling ecosystem," Invest Qatar said, adding the CCIS in Qatar are evolving and deeply impacting the nation, fostering innovation and driving sustainable economic growth."Highlighting that there were as many as 23,907 CCIS-related businesses in Qatar; it said design, infrastructure for urban transport and advertising and marketing lead the enterprise composition of Qatar’s CCIS.Of the 23,907 CCIS-related entities, as many as 4,453 or 19% were in design; 3,167 or 13% in infrastructure; 3,157 or 13% in advertising and marketing; 2,097 or 13% in film, TV, video, radio, photography and music; 2,589 or 11% in IT, software, computer services, programming and consultancy; 2,549 or 11% in creative, arts and entertainment activities; 1,614 or 7% in publishing; 1,587 or 7% in sports activities and, amusement and recreation activities; and 1,284 or 5% in print.The other CCIS-related businesses in Qatar's are 230 in education, 146 in manufacturing, 32 in intellectual property, and 25 in architecture.The success of Qatar's CCIS is supported by five enabling factors such as international influence of culture, talent development and education, policy environment and support, infrastructure and connectivity and environment for entrepreneurship and innovation.A roadmap for enhancing the CCIS provides a structured and holistic approach that requires a co-ordinated effort from all stakeholders, it said adding a legislative and regulatory framework is required for an equitable environment in which CCIS can thrive.The report suggested that nurturing creative talent for CCIS involves a multidimensional approach that focus on talent development and attraction.As part of CCIS employment, cultural professions have a growing share in Qatar's labour force, it said.The professions in the cultural fields include employment in "visual arts, crafts, design services, creativity, audio-visual and interactive media, as well as cultural and natural heritage, performing arts, celebrations, sports, recreation, books, the press, tourism and intangible heritage”.Design and creativity services hold the largest share of workers in cultural professions at 40%, followed by others (26%), cultural and natural heritage (23%), and visual arts and crafts (11%)."Qatar is positioned to develop into a vibrant centre for artistic and cultural talent, advancing forward-thinking projects on a global scale," the Invest Qatar report said.Qatar, with a strong foundation in education, globally renowned universities, and research centres, has been providing a transformative landscape for creative excellence.The report said Qatar's national vision recognises the transformative power of the CCIS in shaping a dynamic and prosperous future.Qatar has state-of-the-art infrastructure and high-speed digital connectivity, making it an attractive destination for investors in the CCIs.These resources provide a solid foundation for fostering innovation and facilitating the growth of CCIs, offering a competitive edge for international investors.Qatar not only provides a vibrant environment for entrepreneurship and innovation, offering ample opportunities for investors in the CCIs to flourish; but also enables creative ventures to thrive and innovate by placing a strong emphasis on fostering cutting-edge technologies and solutions, combined with supportive policies, according to the report.