Taipei, Aug. 30 (CNA) The governments of Peru and Chile are working hard to promote their local cultural industries and help boost their economies, Peruvian and Chilean officials said in a two-day international forum that concluded in Taipei Wednesday.
The two South American countries, both of which have rich histories and cultural heritages, are working through government initiatives to promote the development of their local cultural industries, Chilean official Javier Chamas and Peruvian official Madeleine Burns said during the APEC Local Cultural Industry Market Development Forum.
In 2003, the Chilean government established the National Council of Culture and Arts (NCAC), which started financing cultural projects with a US$17 million annual budget, said NCAC Secretary-General Chamas.
"The projects are selected on a competitive basis, by means of public contests, " he said, adding that approximately 20 percent of all submitted projects are annually financed.
NCAC's biggest challenge will be moving from financial aid into the promotion and broadcasting of local cultural goods, while trying to promote Chile's cultural industry in foreign markets.
The Peruvian government has also launched a campaign of establishing CITES -- technological innovation centers of handicrafts and tourism -- as the regional integrator.
"Peruvian crafts are very important, involving at least 2 million people located in rural and suburban areas and bringing women and young people into productive activity, " according to the director of the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism.
There are 100,000 registered workshops and 12 CITES that have been approved or are under evaluation in Peru, she said.
To provide easier access to markets, the Peruvian government also helps the local cultural industry to establish Web sites and produce digital catalogues to promote the development of exportable offers, she explained.