The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Nu 530 million has been budgeted for the Creative Industry. The Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment Namgyal Dorji said from the ESP of Nu 530 mn for Creative Industries and Media Nu 279.5 mn is for Creative industries and around Nu 190 mn is for two film halls.
He said for the Creative industry programs under the purview of the Department of Media, Creative Industry and Intellectual Property (DoMCIIP), the FY 2024-2025 ESP the Budget allocated was Nu 279.5 mn.
Nu 30 mn is allocated for ‘Support to Aspiring Digital Content Creations’. Nu 30mn is allocated for ‘Skilling and Upskilling of professionals from the Film, Music, and OTT Sectors’.
Nu 40 mn is allocated for ‘Organizing Creative Camps and Events.’
Nu 40 mn is allocated for ‘Funding and Co-Production of Global Potential Films and Series.
Nu 25 mn is allocated for ‘Reviving Theatrical Performances, Stand-up Comedy Shows, and Support for Writers and Publishers.’ Nu 10 mn is allocated for ‘Organizing Bhutan Fashion Week.’
Nu 20 mn is allocated for ‘Support to Media Programs.’
Nu 3.5 mn is allocated for ‘Anti-Piracy Programs through the use of Media and Creative Platforms.’
Nu 77 mn is allocated for Craft Market and Product development support.
On if they align with ESP requirements to have a viable business model and sustainability plan, Lyonpo said the implementation of the ESP in the Creative Industry aligns well with the ESP objectives of domestic production, reducing youth unemployment, improving foreign currency, and reviving business ventures, and improving tourism.
“We would like to believe that if the support that is being provided is generating income for them (which is), then they will work more in the field. What more sustainable can it be when someone is incentivized to work in what makes them happy. That is the beauty of the creative industry. We would like to call it the organically sustainable model.”
On the issue of long term job creation and the economic stimulus plan beyond creative products Lyonpo said that through the implementation of ESP in the Creative Industry sectors, they are able to provide direct employment, skilling, and upskilling for sectors such as film, OTT, Social Media, and Music.
“Our objectives are to ensure long-term skills development, institutional capacity, and gainful employment. In addition, the creative industry is the most strategic soft power. For a small country like Bhutan, in the medium term, enhanced visibility and popularity with enhanced reach, can position Bhutan and Bhutanese culture globally. This will enable jobs and earnings for creators, and value for our culture. This is what South Korea did successfully, should we not try?”
On the issue of who makes the decisions to invest, what is the basis of these decisions, how transparency is ensured and how are the personal whims and favoritism of bureaucrats are avoided, the minister said that in all the activities which were implemented as part of ESP for Creative Industry, they have ensured the process is transparent, decisions are well-assessed, and mindfully filtered.
“These decisions are implemented through committees, evaluators, and project viability resolutions. In addition, talent, experience, skills and existing popularity are the means to gauge collaborations. Therefore, there are criteria and requirements.”
He said that no decisions are made by singular authority or ‘at the whims and favoritism’ of bureaucrats.
In terms of the impact the minister said less than a year’s time is too less to witness the impact of anything, but intangible impacts can be heard of and are being talked about – with vibrancy in the creative industry.
The minister was asked why does the government keep calling the above fund a Media fund or media support when of the Nu 530 mn only Nu 20 mn has been allocated to the media and that too mainly through media CSOs.
Lyonpo here said that the ministry is evaluating how the media can be supported better and he said the MEDB is already there helping the private newspapers with Nu 700,000 a year each.
