Creative Economy Agency

The Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization), or CEA, is stepping up efforts to build international confidence in the potential of Thailand’s creative economy as one of the industries of the future capable of driving the country’s economic growth.

CEA, in collaboration with Netflix, has announced the “CREATIVITY AS CAPITAL: Driving the Next Growth Frontier” event as an official affiliated programme of the 2026 IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings, hosted by Thailand. The event will take place on Oct 13, 2026, at the Andaz Grand Ballroom, Level 3, One Bangkok, Bangkok.

The event comes at a pivotal time as Thailand presents a new direction for economic growth to the international community during the 2026 IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings, which will be held in Bangkok from Oct 12 to 18, 2026.

The World Bank Group has recently identified creative industries as one of Thailand’s five “Industries of the Future”, alongside advanced manufacturing, sustainable and wellness tourism, digital services and agrifood. These sectors are considered areas in which Thailand has existing advantages and strong potential to drive productivity, investment and quality job creation in the future.

Creative industries as Thailand’s economic growth

The World Bank Group’s report, “Building Thailand’s Future Today”, says Thailand needs to move towards higher-value economic activities to raise productivity, strengthen competitiveness and create quality jobs. A key part of this transition is the development of “Industries of the Future” in which Thailand already has strengths, with creative industries identified as one of five sectors with the potential to drive the country’s long-term growth.

For Thailand’s creative economy, data presented by the World Bank Group highlights an already substantial economic base. Core creative industries account for approximately 4.6% of total gross value added (GVA), while the broader creative economy is valued at as much as 1.7 trillion baht, equivalent to 10.8% of national GVA.

This demonstrates that the creative economy is not simply a cultural or social sector, but an economic base with significant growth potential that can be further developed for global markets.

World Bank Group data also points to the growing international market for Thai creative products. Exports of creative goods more than doubled from approximately US$3.2 billion, or around 105.44 billion baht, in 2002, to US$8.2 billion, or around 270 billion baht, in 2024. This indicates that creative products are not limited to the domestic market but have the potential to generate overseas revenues and become part of global value chains.

Against this backdrop, the World Bank Group has proposed several measures to strengthen Thailand’s creative economy, including stronger intellectual property protection and enforcement; developing licensing and IP markets; expanding access to finance and investment for creative professionals; increasing distribution channels and global partnerships; investing in infrastructure and digital production tools; and strengthening Thailand’s global brand.

These recommendations are directly aligned with “CREATIVITY AS CAPITAL: Driving the Next Growth Frontier”, through which CEA aims to promote international dialogue on the policy direction of Thailand’s creative economy and elevate “Creative Capital” — generated through creativity, cultural capital and intellectual property — into “Global Assets” capable of creating value, attracting investment and expanding into international markets.

Creative IP as an emerging source of growth

With CEA tasked with driving Thailand’s creative economy, “CREATIVITY AS CAPITAL: Driving the Next Growth Frontier” represents an effort to elevate the discussion among global economic leaders from creativity itself to investment and economic growth.

The event will provide a platform for policymakers, development finance institutions, investors and creative industry leaders from Thailand and overseas to exchange views and explore ways to transform creative IP into assets capable of growing and competing in global markets.

The program will include:
1. Keynote Session by a senior World Bank representative, addressing “Thailand’s New Horizons: The Creative Economy as a Growth Engine”.
2. Policy Forum, exploring the future of the creative economy through key issues, with representatives from businesses, international organisations and relevant Thai government agencies.

Key discussion topics will include:

• “From Creative Capital to Global Asset” — exploring how Thailand’s creativity, cultural capital and creative intellectual property (Creative IP) can be developed into economically valuable and investable assets, while creating connections with global platforms and partners.
• “Building the Enabling Environment: IP Framework, Incentives and Policy Supports for a Competitive Creative Sector” — examining policy, intellectual property frameworks, incentives and support measures needed to enhance the competitiveness of Thailand’s creative industries.

3. Networking Reception by Netflix: “Stories That Move Economies” will provide an opportunity to connect policymakers, investors and creative industry leaders while creating opportunities for strategic collaboration.

The event will also feature an exhibition showcasing Thai creative entrepreneurs with commercial potential, as well as creative talent ready to expand into international markets. The exhibition will demonstrate that Thailand has both the capital and talent needed to develop high-value creative businesses and connect them with international investment networks and markets.

The event marks another important step for CEA in presenting Thailand’s creative economy on the global economic stage, while communicating that creativity can do more than enhance cultural influence. It can be developed into Creative Capital and Creative IP that generate economic value, attract investment, create jobs and expand business opportunities for Thailand in international markets.

The event is invitation-only, for delegates attending the 2026 IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Thailand and official partner networks.

“CREATIVITY AS CAPITAL: Driving the Next Growth Frontier” will be held on Tuesday, Oct 13, 2026, from 1pm to 5.30pm at the Andaz Grand Ballroom, Level 3, One Bangkok, Wireless Road, Bangkok.
 

Posted in news-en on ก.ย. 17, 2026