Japan, Singapore to cooperate in creative industries

SINGAPORE, Sept. 23 Kyodo - Japan and Singapore agreed Friday to pursue closer cooperation in creative industries, positioning it as an important new pillar in their bilateral ties.
The move is expected to be a boost for the two countries' small and medium-sized companies involved in animation, architectural and graphic design and visual communications, helping them to be more innovative and economically competitive.
The agreement was made at a meeting in Singapore between visiting Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano and Singaporean Information, Communications and the Arts Minister Yaacob Ibrahim.
''The two ministers reaffirmed cooperation in the creative industries as an important new pillar of ties between Singapore and Japan,'' said a joint statement issued by the two sides after the meeting.
They agreed to cooperate in capability-building through exchange of experts, joint market development in the region, and set up meetings at the senior official-level to discuss further cooperation in the area.
They plan to promote design excellence through a ''Good Design Award'' in both countries and the exchange of designers, knowledge and activities in the creative industries.
Participation in exhibitions, seminars and other events organized within the creative industries of the two countries will also be encouraged.
The cooperation is expected to ''offer new opportunities for small, medium-sized companies to be innovative and economically competitive as they work to enhance the quality of life for consumers in the region,'' it said.