Kathmandu, August 15:

Global trade in creative goods and services grew by 8.7 per cent annually from 2000-2005. An UNCTAD database providing trade statistics on creative goods and services cover about 235 products related to heritage, arts, media and functional creations.

The database’s statistics are based on information reported by national sources to the UN, states a report. Currently it shows global trade flows for 1996-2006. The statistics are available as tabular reports, country profiles, tables and charts. Selected products are listed along with the major exporters/importers in major markets for such creative products as art and crafts, music CDs and video/films.

The Creative Economy Report 2008, released by UNCTAD/UNDP showed that global trade in creative goods and services grew by 8.7 per cent annually from 2000-2005, making it one of the most vibrant sectors in world commerce. The value of exports of creative goods reached $335.5 billion in 2005, according to figures reported by over 130 countries, while exports of creative services totaled $89 billion.

Trade in creative products is dominated by developed countries — they account for about 90 per cent of exports of music and audiovisuals and the world’s poorer nations have achieved rapid growth in the creative sector recently. One noteworthy trend is that printed media are facing challenges due to the growing influence of electronic publishing. In Europe, which has the world’s highest rate of broadband Internet penetration, circulation of printed newspapers is declining. By contrast, in developing countries where competition from electronic publishing is less of a factor because of expensive and limited Internet access, the circulation of printed newspapers seems less affected.

Worldwide, the database shows, global sales of published material and printed media (all kinds of news circulated as newspapers, magazines, books etc) had a growth rate of three per cent for 2000-2005, with exports amounting to $15.3 billion in 2005, states the release.

Governments, enterprises, creative community — including independent artists/creators, academia, media and international institutions — are all potential end-users that provides factual trade data by products, countries and regions.