Creative industries contribute approximately 2.7% of Canada’s GDP, underscoring their economic and strategic importance. Through the Creative Export Canada program, $33 million has been invested to support the internationalization of Canadian creative content, with Asia emerging as a key hub for export diversification. As Canadian companies increasingly look to expand across emerging Southeast Asian economies, Indonesia stands out, driven by recent free trade agreements, a rapidly growing digital economy, and a rising middle class with growing demand for cultural and creative content. Together, these dynamics position Indonesia as a promising, yet still underexplored market for Canadian and Quebec creative firms.
The panel, organized by APF Canada in partnership with Université de Montréal and Universitas Gadjah Mada, aims to gather insights directly from policymakers and business leaders on what it means to conduct cultural diplomacy, how Quebec and Indonesian firms are pushing the boundaries of excellence in the creative industries, and how they are developing innovative and sustainable creative products and creative cities.
