Brazil's federal government moves to formalise creative‑economy policy

The Brazilian federal government is drafting an inter‑ministerial decree to establish a National Policy of Creative Economy. Seven ministries – Culture, Finance, Development, Industry, Tourism, Science & Technology, Labor and Regional Integration – will be coordinated under the decree. The policy was presented at a seminar held on 16‑17 June at the Palácio Gustavo Capanema in Rio de Janeiro, where Culture Secretary Cláudia Leitão and Minister Margareth Menezes stressed its transversal nature, linking cultural production to new industry, tourism, innovation, micro‑ and small‑business support and regional development.

A nationwide listening process carried out by the Fórum Brasil Criativo across all five regions produced regional letters that will be merged into a final draft, with a Southeast letter due on 18 June. Officials highlighted financing gaps due to the intangible nature of creative assets; BNDES economist Luciane Gorgulho and Sebrae President Rodrigo Soares spoke of specialised credit lines and a possible national creative‑economy fund. The initiative aims to treat the sector as a driver of jobs, income and social cohesion, benefitting over 111 000 micro‑ and small‑enterprises and thousands of cultural workers across the country.