Culture and Economy: The Value of the Symbolic.

• Author: Guariglio, Monica
• Position: Essay

In Argentina there is evidence of the strong impact of culture on the economy: over 3,000 theatre venues; 97 million book samples; 1,363,841 film entrances in 3-D, and 1,168 artistic and folklore festivals in the country.

Today these facts can no longer be dismissed. The culture concept is now ampler, richer, and more understood in its economic dimension. It recognizes not only the symbolic value of culture, but the potential of what, until now, was deemed "not economics."

This new perspective acknowledges the implications of culture in the development of societies. A development that rescues diversity to integrate it, safeguards knowledge, and contributes to growth in every sense.

The cultural richness of the people in the region grows by incorporating the new, transforming the present, and being respectful of one's own origins and cultural diversity. Innovation is a fundamental element in growth. It is especially evident in the new technologies of today that allow joining the global world by eliminating physical barriers.

Public policy for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) is central to this process, since it is these businesses that are better able to create a link between the cultural identity of each community and the global market.

Culture is an opportunity for developing countries to diversify their national economy and join the world market. It is above all a key tool in public policies for inclusion of disadvantaged social groups and a key to a better quality of life.

When we think of culture in terms of innovation and growth, we immediately think of the Creative Industries, a sector that, as you will see later, is more and more present in the cultural production context.

REGIONAL INTEGRATION TO PROMOTE CULTURAL DEVELOPMENTL

Creative Industries have had a strong growth rate in the global market.

According to the "Creative Economy Report 2008" by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the "creative products" world market had an annual growth rate of 8.7% between 2000 and 2005 and the exchange rate of creative goods was 47% higher than in 2000. This same report goes on to say that "creative products" are effectively immune to recession and an excellent opportunity to boost job creation in developing countries.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

In Latin America and the Caribbean the Creative Industries exports in the design and publishing sectors doubled between 2002 and 2008. The UNCTAD acknowledges that greater...