Creative council told to seek aid from gov’t

CEBU, Philippines - The Board of Investments (BOI) has asked the Creative Cebu Council to submit a position paper expressing their interest to get more assistance from the government apart from the income tax holiday incentives given by the board.

BOI governor Gerry Sta. Ana made this announcement yesterday at the side lines of the BOI public consultation on proposed investment priorities plan for 2013.

Although the creative sector is included in the second priority list in the preferred investment priority, Creative Cebu Council officer Ian Zafra said the BOI's description on creative sector is too limited.

According the Zafra, the creative sector is not only animation and technology related works, but also includes music, film, original composition, among others.

It is for this reason that Zafra initiated to partner with the BOI to get more, however, Sta.Ana said while BOI can only give fiscal perks for imported sophisticated equipment, the board can act as the advocate to also encourage other agencies to help push the creative sector.

"Creative sector is a fast growing industry that we are supporting," said BOI governor Oliver Butalid expressing strong support to help the emerging creative sector in the Philippines.

Sta.Ana added that the creative sector's request will surely get utmost attention from BOI chairman Adrian Cristobal considering that he was the former head of the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).

Earlier, the Creative Cebu Council has sought help from the Government Financial Institution (GFI), SB Corporation to include the sector in its direct lending facility.

This move from the council is spearheaded by DTI Cebu provincial director Nelia F. Navarro.

Based on BOI's proposed investment priority for 2013 the creative industries that is part of the incentive umbrella covers non-voice business processing operation, creative and knowledge-based services.

It also include services with original content such as but not limited to software development, animation, engineering and architectural design, product design, game and applications and development and software development The Philippine Peso equivalent of US$200, 000 (excluding cost of land and building) to be put up during the first year of operations.

Exports of the creative industry products and services are expected to increase by 50 percent in the next three to four years. (FREEMAN)