The importance of creative industry in Iran’s future

Since 10 years ago, the economic and industry-oriented approach toward the formation of creative industries has become more serious in Iran.

According to state officials, more than 2,000 creative companies accredited by the government are currently operating in 17 fields in Iran, including animation, games, educational technology, toys, architecture, tourism and handicrafts.

The growing creative industries are of great importance to industrial and post-industrial economies and nations. The production of lifestyles, cultural experiences, historical heritage, images, concepts and emotions is a hallmark of consumer society.

The creative industry is a set of autonomous sectors, whose activities are all geared towards the production of intellectual products and cultural values based on human creativity, also inducing an economic process. It forms a bridge between art, culture, business, and technology.

It is a dynamic sector which covers many domains, such as architecture, industrial design, fashion, gaming, media and cultural heritage. The industry is an economic activity that involves knowledge of information technology as well as the ability to create and innovate.

At look at the size of the creative economy speaks for itself about the stunning significance of this often overlooked sector, at least in Iran.

According to UN estimates, the creative industries account for 3.1% of global GDP, generate annual revenues of over $2 trillion, and account for nearly 50 million jobs worldwide. This is equal to the share of steel and oil in the world economy.  

Addressing social problems in the wider society often requires a multi-faceted approach and comprehensive tool. Some potential solutions may include promoting education, fostering inclusivity, supporting mental health services, implementing effective policies, and encouraging community engagement and dialogue.

This is where creativity comes into play because creative industries are generally tools for solving social problems. For example, it is possible to create an anthem for social harmony that big institutions cannot for many years.

At the micro level, creative industries are businesses that are formed based on creativity. This creativity generates a wide and large economy through communication with people and their consumption basket.

The creative industry is an attractive money-making industry that, in addition to solving social problems, also has a vital economic function.

The cultural and creative industry is an emerging industry with innovation and creativity at its core. Iran is well-placed to take advantage of its human resources and rich cultural infrastructure in art, storytelling and design. The country’s legion of specialists in management and coding is making forays into most fields of creative industries.

Some fields are more advanced according to their ecosystem, such as animation, stationery, toys and games, which are among the leading fields of creative industries in the country.

For example, the Persian language is a social construct, the promotion of which needs creative industries that can include game platforms and educational tools. All these tools are a subset of creative industries.

Nevertheless, the general approach toward the sector in Iran is not entrepreneurial where the lack of copyright and patent enforcement is putting brakes on its growth and harming domestic content.

For instance, the quick and easy download access to foreign games and animations, apart from their possibly malign cultural impact, undermines domestic producers.

Hence, the share of the creative economy is less than one percent, short of $4 billion, while this number could reach $10-12 billion.

Iran's membership in the BRICS group of emerging economies in January 2024 has provided the country with a new opportunity to accelerate its development of the sector.

Today, BRICS countries are home to roughly 3.3 billion people — over 40% of the global population. The BRICS economies also account for an estimated 37.3% of global gross domestic product based on purchasing power parity.

The BRICS countries, which are mainly located in the Eastern fold, have many shared cultural values. One important commonality is their history.

Last year’s addition of Iran, the UAE, Ethiopia, and Egypt to the bloc whose original founders are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa has given it a new historical weight and opened a vast ground for cultural exchanges.

Their common values ​​and traditions, such as the importance of the family institution, the prominent role of religion as well as the existence of numerous ancient and historical monuments, are among their most notable affinities.

Given the technological and industrial capacities of the BRICS countries, Iran can take advantage of the opportunities for the development of its creative industry.

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