New Delhi: Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) on Friday launched the All India Initiative on Creative Economy (AIICE) in the national capital with an objective to identify and catalyze the enormous untapped economic wealth, innovation and employment opportunities in our creative industries. The move was launched by Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, ICC President Ameya Prabhu and AIICE Chairperson Rakhi Sarkar.
The Creative Economy of India (as per the 2023 Global Innovation Report) is $30 Billion with 8% of its workforce in creative professions – Asian Development Bank Established in 1949, the ICC is one of India’s oldest non-government trade associations working to promote indigenous entrepreneurs like artisans, handloom & handicraft workers as well .
Speaking on the occasion of the launch, Minister Puri had said that in India we are the custodians of a centuries old civilization and legacy and traditionally work in arts is something pursued out of sheer passion. He stressed the need for careers that were as incentivized and lucrative.
Rakhi Sarkar, Chairperson, AIICE said that India’s craftspeople languish in poverty and we need to free them from this vicious circle either by policy making or otherwise.
The event was attended by distinguished patrons of the initiative including composer Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, and scenographer Rajeev Sethi. Actress Kajol Devgan and journalist Vir Sanghvi are the other Patrons of the initiative.
Feature Image: From left to Right: Rajeev Sethi, Ameya Prabhu (president AIICE), Hardeep Singh Puri, Rakhi Sarkar, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Abhyuday Jindal at the inauguration of AIICE
