The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has officially opened the first ASEAN Creative Industries Expo by Malikhaing Pinoy (ASEAN MPEx) at SMX Convention Center Aura in Taguig City, highlighting the growing role of the Philippine creative economy in regional trade, the digital economy, and cultural exchange.
DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque reported that the country’s creative economy has grown to ₱2.12 trillion, contributing 7.6 percent to the national GDP. The sector generated ₱320 billion in creative goods exports and ₱427 billion in creative services exports, while digital interactive goods and services—including game development and animation—account for nearly a fifth of total creative output and are projected to reach USD 2.6 billion by 2027.
Expanding Opportunities For Filipino Creatives
As the Philippines leads ASEAN in 2026, the DTI is working to strengthen opportunities for Filipino artists and creative businesses to access international markets. Among the initiatives highlighted by Secretary Roque is the upcoming Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), which is set for signing at the 49th ASEAN Summit in November. The agreement is intended to streamline cross-border payments, data flows, and intellectual property protection across ASEAN Member States.
The DTI is also advancing the proposed ASEAN Center of Excellence for Creative Industries (ACE-CI), a Priority Economic Deliverable under the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship. Envisioned to be hosted in the Philippines, the center would serve as a regional hub for policy research, capacity-building, and market development.
Organized through the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council Secretariat, ASEAN MPEx brings together all nine creative domains: Audiovisual Media, Creative Services, Cultural Sites, Digital Interactive Media, Design, Performing Arts, Publishing and Printed Media, Traditional Cultural Expressions, and Visual Arts.
Where Creativity Meets Regional Collaboration
The expo features the ASEAN Malikhaing Pinoy Pavilion, Government Services Pavilion, Coconut Industry Pavilion, a preview of the Philippines’ World Expo 2025 Osaka presence, and a Philippine Gastronomy feature developed with the Department of Tourism.
Running through September 19, 2026, ASEAN MPEx also features domain exhibits, live cultural performances, Malikhaing Pinoy Talks with policymakers, and pitching sessions connecting Filipino creators with global investors.
Through the Malikhaing Pinoy Program, the DTI aims to strengthen the creative sector as a driver of regional exports and support the long-term vision of positioning the Philippines as Asia’s Premier Creative Hub by 2030.
