The UAE government acknowledges the value of developing a cultural and creative strategy to ensure that culture contributes to the economy and trade. Below is a highlight of efforts at the federal and local governments to develop strategies to strengthen and nurture the cultural and creative industries (CCI):
* National Cultural and Creative Strategy: Since 2019, the Ministry of Culture and Youth has started developing a 10-year national culture and creative industries (CCI) strategy, now in the final stages of development. The Ministry has met with many stakeholders to understand the current situation and assess the needs of the sector, and how those needs can be translated in the strategy. It has also conducted extensive best practice studies to incorporate them in the national strategy. Once completed, the strategy will include initiatives that will strengthen the flow of cultural goods and services into and out of the country.
* Abu Dhabi Culture and Creative Industries Strategy - 2020 - 2024: In 2019, Abu Dhabi developed a 5-year culture and creative industries strategy 2020-2024, working in collaboration with key sector partners. The Strategy seeks to strengthen Abu Dhabi's position as a globally recognized center of creative talent and a leading regional producer and exporter of creative and cultural content. Five strategic pillars provide a framework for initiatives to be implemented over the term of the Strategy, which include: Governance, Talent, Innovation, Business Development, and Place. The Strategy will be implemented by the Government of Abu Dhabi and by sector partners. The vision is to position CCI as a critical contributor to livability and vitality in the community, and to economic development and diversification, including job creation.
* Culture Plan for Dubai: In October 2019, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), announced a new cultural plan comprising of three overarching strategic objectives: (1) creating an effective and sustainable new cultural movement in Dubai, (2) making Dubai a premier destination for talent, and (3) developing the creative industries and economy. To implement the Cultural Plan, Dubai Culture will work with various cultural organizations. Transforming Al Quoz into A Creative Free Zone is one of the Culture Plan's initiatives, and it aims to transform Al Quoz into a free zone for creative talent in the culture sector, providing comprehensive facilities and services from the conception stage through to design and production. The free zone will create an end-to-end system for creatives to produce, display and sell their works. This initiative will encourage the flow of cultural goods and services into and out of Dubai.
The UAE already is a destination market for a lot of cultural goods and services. With the implementation of the national and local cultural and creative strategies, enhanced export of cultural goods and services is envisioned, and a more robust inflow and outflow of culture.