Doha: The Ministry of Culture organized a seminar on Wednesday titled 'Opportunities for the creative economy in a changing world,' as part of the second edition of the "Fereej Art and Design Festival," currently being held at Darb Al Saai. Several participating artists affirmed that the State of Qatar has provided a fertile environment that fostered the growth of the creative economy, offering all means to develop skills and open new horizons for creative individuals, transforming their work and talents into sources of income and economic investment commensurate with their artistic and creative value.
According to Qatar News Agency, the State has provided all the necessary facilities to promote entrepreneurship, particularly in creative fields, which helps to enhance the reach of creative works that contribute to the creative economy, a key driver of sustainable development and a promising field that combines creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Photographer Abdulaziz Al Kubaisi, deputy director of the Qatar photography center and founder of Lusail studios for artistic production, affirmed that Qatar's experience in supporting creative projects demonstrates the country's commitment to building a sustainable economic system capable of competing in global markets. He noted that various government ministries and institutions have provided comprehensive support to foster the development of creative projects.
Al Kubaisi shared his experience in establishing Lusail studios after 20 years of working in photography, emphasizing the potential for transforming creativity into a successful economic venture and a sustainable source of income. He explained that the studios have evolved from simple photography studios into a fully integrated economic platform that produces programs and trains young people in creative work skills.
He praised the significant support provided by the ministries of culture and commerce and industry through streamlined procedures, such as including photography as a home-based business license, which empowers young people to confidently enter the creative market.
Hamid Ibrahim, head of creative operations at Kugali media, said that collaborating with the Disney+ platform to produce the series was a turning point in his career, as it allowed him to work with a global system that possesses a comprehensive vision for the flow of the creative economy.
Filmmaker Obada Jarbi emphasized that cinema and documentaries have become effective tools for strengthening national identity and promoting culture and tourism. He noted that documentaries can be an alternative to traditional advertising campaigns due to their emotional impact and narrative depth.
He pointed out that Qatar possesses all the necessary elements to become a global cinematic and tourist destination by investing in the production of films that tell its story from the perspectives of its citizens and residents, stressing the importance of "Qatarizing" the story to ensure that the local identity is conveyed with a global spirit.
Entrepreneur and jewelry designer Nada Khamis Al Sulaiti spoke about her experience in establishing a project that combines Qatari heritage with international standards, affirming that her success stemmed from mastering international quality standards and then integrating local identity into the design.
She noted the State's support, which enabled entrepreneurs to reach global markets in record time. She pointed out that her brand is now present in international markets such as the United States, Switzerland, and Germany, confirming Qatar's success in supporting a creative environment and transforming it into a genuine economic driver.
For his part, entrepreneur Abdullah Al Mana'a stressed that the creative economy opens new avenues for diversifying national income, urging young people to create opportunities rather than wait for them. He said that creativity is not limited to the arts alone but extends to design, media, and small businesses that build a modern knowledge-based economy.