Culture and creativity are key elements for the sustainable growth of nations. Globally, they represent 3% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and generate 26 million jobs. 

This information was shared during the second edition of the Orange Caribbean Forum, an initiative that aims to make visible the different actors that make up the creative industries, as well as to turn the Dominican Republic into the creative HUB of the Caribbean and Central America.

Content industry and technological convergence

The event was organised by Switch HAVAS and SIP Group companies represented by José Grateraux CEO of Switch HAVAS, Pamela Pitizia COO, Ángel Rosario General Creative Director of Switch HAVAS and Arlette Palacio CEO of Sip Group.  The event was attended by government agencies, international agencies and companies that are directly linked to this sector, from visual and performing arts to cinema, fashion, gastronomy, advertising, software development, video games and other disciplines that somehow complement all the national work.

Inka Mattila, representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), during her opening speech at the Forum highlighted that in the Dominican Republic in 2014 this sector already generated 12.5% of jobs and in 2016 it contributed 1.5% to the GDP.  "These figures remind us that fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth by creating jobs in the cultural and creative sector boosts decent work and develops national and local markets and is essential to improve competitiveness. It is a good route to sustainable development," Mattila emphasised.

The official of the international organisation highlighted how the Orange Economy is being more valued for its economic contributions, for its ability to generate added value, boost entry into new markets and open up new sources of financing, thus contributing to achieving the levels of sustainability and inclusion assumed in the 2030 agenda.

This year the Forum consisted of four panels in which different creative sectors addressed the contributions and challenges presented by the cultural industries: Content Industry and Technological Convergence, Cultural and Sustainable Tourism, Web 3.0 Digital Economy, a window to development, and the Global Expansion of the film and content industry in the DR.

During the panel Global Expansion of the DR Film and Content Industry moderated by Rafael Elías Muñoz, and the participation of Laura Amelia Guzmán, Guillermo Molina, David Maler and Fernando Santos highlighted the strength of this industry in the country, generating around 250 million dollars during the 10 years of existence of the General Film Law. The creation of infrastructure used for national and foreign productions, training and specialization of human capital are other elements that stand out as values generated by the local film industry.

During the Cultural Tourism panel led by Luisa Feliz with the participation of María Isabel Contreras of Mochilera por el Mundo; Michelle Arthur, of Nateevos, and Yohanan Núñez, of Yohan Nature, addressed the challenge facing the country to produce and manage a system of statistical indicators that allow for sustainable planning of destinations and promote responsible tourism as an appropriate way to produce a direct social impact in the communities, generating economic benefits and promoting and preserving the culture of the different regions.

Meanwhile, the panel Web 3.0 Digital Economy, a window to development, Yaqui Núñez, its moderator, began by expressing that this sector raises the development and social welfare from new and disruptive technologies.

The panel was composed of Rafael de los Santos (PoteLeche), Julio de la Cruz and Tuto Guerrero, who defined Web 3.0 as the evolution of the Internet as we know it today, proposing to create and use technology as a resource that empowers us allowing us to be owners of our digital lives and monetize from what we are able to produce through the creation of NFT.