The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) launched the All India Initiative on Creative Economy (AIICE) in the national capital on Friday, aiming to harness the immense potential of India’s creative industries. The initiative was inaugurated by Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, ICC President Ameya Prabhu, and AIICE Chairperson Rakhi Sarkar.
According to the 2023 Global Innovation Report, India’s creative economy is valued at $30 billion, with 8% of the nation’s workforce employed in creative occupations, as reported by the Asian Development Bank. The ICC, one of India’s oldest non-governmental trade associations, seeks to support local artisans, handloom, and handicraft workers, while also focusing on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
During the launch event, Minister Puri highlighted India’s rich cultural heritage, noting that careers in the arts have traditionally been driven by passion. He emphasized the importance of making such careers both incentivized and lucrative.
Rakhi Sarkar, Chairperson of AIICE, underscored the need to uplift India’s craftspeople from poverty and called for policy reforms to better support their work.
The event was graced by prominent patrons of the initiative, including composer Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, scenographer Rajeev Sethi. The other Patrons of the initiative are actress Kajol Devgan and journalist Vir Sanghvi.
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
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