The impressive results in the development of the creative industries in Serbia over the last six years serve as proof of Serbia's huge progress and potential in this area
bia‘s huge progress and potential in this area, but also as an indicator that the Prime Minister of the Repub- lic of Serbia was correct in deciding to set the develop- ment of the creative industries and digitalisation as a strategic goal of her Government. That‘s also why the Serbia Creates national platform was established, as an interdepartmental umbrella body that‘s responsi- ble for promoting Serbia internationally, and doing so precisely through the potential that exists in the field of the creative industries, innovations and the knowl- edge-based economy. This platform acts as a nation- al brand that asserts the values of the modern Serbia - creativity, innovation, knowhow and talent in all ar- eas of the economy and society.” We have left behind quite a difficult and challenging year. To what extant has the pandemic impacted on the development of this sector? “The effects of the pandemic caused a slight slow- down in the creative sector and, as expected, didn‘t hit all activities equally. However, the total values realised still remain above the period prior to the crisis and more than three per cent growth was achieved. This raises hope in a bright and creative future for Serbia, espe- cially during a year when the United Nations is com- memorating the Year of Creative Economies globally.” The Serbia Creates Platform has, through numerous projects, contributed to the devel- opment of the creative industries in Serbia. What‘s planned next? “Among the multitude of projects that we‘re work- ing on, I would certainly single out preparations for Ser- bia‘s appearance at the upcoming Dubai Expo 2020, as well as the rebranding of Serbia‘s tourist offer, which we are working on in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and the National Tourism Organisation of Serbia. These are opportunities and projects that we are using to attempt to deal proactively with the neg- ative effects of the pandemic and to extract the best for Serbia. The idea is to be prepared for the opening up of countries and to offer a modern, dynamic and inspiring Serbia that‘s packed with creative and talent- ed people; a country where talented people stay and return to, and where talented people from all over the world come to live and work. The idea is to finally pres- ent ourselves in the proper light.”
ANA ILIĆ, SENIOR ADVISOR TO THE SERBIAN PRIME MINISTER We present a modern, dynamic and creative Serbia to the world Renowned British magazine The Economist proclaimed “an unexpected technological boom in Serbia”, while the BBC declared Belgrade one of the world's five most creative cities A merican newspaper The New York Post considers Belgrade a paradise for digital nomads and New Yorkers working remote- ly. How did this turnaround come about? According to Ana Ilić, senior advisor to the Serbian Prime Minister for the creative industries and tourism, it is a result of the development of the technological and creative industries in Serbia, as well as a proactive engagement in the digital revolution. “The impressive results of the development of the creative industries in Serbia over the last six years – with a GDP share of as much as 7.4%, sector growth of 60 per cent, total export growth of 51 per cent and constant growth in the number of employees, most of whom are highly educated, young and, in more than 45 per cent of cases, women – serve as proof of Ser-
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