The creative industry plays an importance role in boosting the cultural tourism sector in the  Mekong countries, significantly boosting their economies. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted this sector, with heritage sites experiencing slower recovery due to varying levels of economic development and response capabilities among the countries. This situation threatens cultural skills and knowledge as workers leave, risking the loss of traditional heritage tied to key monuments.  

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and informal workers in the creative industry contribute significantly to economic development in the region. However, most of them still lack clear classification as to which businesses are labeled as creative industries, resulting in inadequate support and technical assistance. Additionally, intellectual property protection in much of the Mekong region is still developing and not fully compliant with international standards,  hindering the protection and commercialization of scientific, technological, and cultural innovations, which are vital for economic growth and international competitiveness. 

In response to this, Mekong Institute (MI) is implementing a three-year project titled ‘Promoting  Creative Industry for Heritage Tourism Development in the Mekong Region’ so-called ‘Creative4Mekong’ from March 2024- February 2027, funded by the Mekong – ROK Cooperation  Fund (MKCF). The project focuses on strengthening creative industries, conserving cultural heritage, and developing tourism for socio-economic recovery in five selected World Heritage  Sites of Mekong countries namely Ayutthaya (Thailand), Siem Reap (Cambodia), Hue (Viet Nam),  Luang Prabang (Laos), and Bagan (Myanmar). 

As part of the project activities, MI conducted a baseline study from May to July 2024. The study aimed to provide an initial assessment and shape the project’s intervention and implementation strategy in the coming years. It assessed the current situation and identified challenges and  potential creative products and associations/groups involved. Based on the study’s findings and to promote sustainability and growth of creative industry associations, MI is conducting ‘Training  cum Workshop on Creative Industry Associations Management in project locations in the  Mekong countries’ scheduled to take place from September 9 -13, 2024 in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

The one-week training is designed:

1. To enhance participants’ knowledge of and experience in business plans for the creative industry associations and/or creative groups for them to provide continuous support to targeted creative enterprises and artisans/workers in the project locations, namely  Ayutthaya (Thailand), Siem Reap (Cambodia), Luang Prabang (Laos), Bagan (Myanmar),  and Hue city (Vietnam). 
2. To enhance the capacity of public sector stakeholders represented by the local institutions that govern and support the development of creative industries as well as enabling the formation of new creative industry associations in line with the needs of the local development context.  
3. To enhance the capacity of all participants in the application of intellectual property rights  (IPRs) to further promote innovation and creativity in the creative industries in the Mekong countries.  
4. To formulate country-specific action plans to strengthen the business development of creative industry associations, creative enterprises, and artisans, including policy actions nurturing creative industry development, further creative business service expansion, and competitiveness towards sustainability.

A total of 25 participants from five Mekong countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam) will be selected for the training. They will include:

• Representatives of Creative Industries: creative industry associations, creative and innovative hubs and clusters, creative businesses/enterprises, and artisans from such industries such as Art and Crafts, Performing Arts, Design and Creative Services, Visual Arts, Music, and related industries such as Culinary Arts and Cultural Tourism.
• Officials from government agencies representing the Ministries of Culture, Tourism, Commerce and Industry, and Heritage Site Management.
• Government agencies in charge of One Tambon One Product (OTOP)/ One District One Product (ODOP)/ One Village One Product (OVOP), Cultural Products and Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Module 1: Introduction to Creative Industries

• Definition, concept, and classifications of creative industries
• The development, and contemporary scope of the creative economy and creative industries at the global context and the Mekong countries
• Evolution of creative industries in the digital age
• Contribution of creative industries to the tourism sector and sustainable development
• Key findings of the project baseline study on creative industries in Mekong  countries conducted by MI

Module 2: Business Management & Development

• The need of business plan development for creative industry associations  and creative enterprises
• Business plan structure
• Technique to form a business plan

Module 3: Creative Products Protection (IPRs)

• Concept and definition of copyrights and different types of intellectual works and authorship, including arts and crafts, music, literature, games, visual arts, architecture, etc.
• Industrial property, covering trademarks, geographical indications, industrial design, patents, traditional knowledge, etc.
• Economic rights and legal instruments.
• International best practices and case study.
• Existing framework governing the IPR protection in the Mekong countries
• Development trends and challenges facing the Mekong countries.
• The assessment of the IPR and key findings in the Mekong countries conducted by MI.

Module 4: Action Plans Development 

• Guidance on Action Plans Development with the use of the form for country–wise and/or individual action plan implementation with clear timeline for deliverables
• Action Plan preparation with detailed steps
• Action plan implementation with the MI’s technical assistance and  monitoring and evaluation (M&E)
• Action Plan Reporting at the synthesis and evaluation workshop  Group/Individual Work Plan Template