Creative economy and print industries show resilience in Malaysia and UK

The creative economy in Malaysia is showing significant growth, contributing 6.8% to the nation’s GDP in 2024. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the sector recorded a 7.1% increase from the previous year, with books and press accounting for 9.5% of gross value added and visual arts and crafts contributing 6.6%.

As more Malaysians attempt to commercialize creative pursuits such as design and personalized crafts, small businesses face production challenges. Issues include managing costs, turnaround times, and the difficulty of outsourcing small quantities for testing and customization.

In the United Kingdom, the print market remains a multi-billion pound industry. Printed.com has launched a ‘Print Is Here To Stay’ campaign to challenge claims that print is declining, noting that the company has experienced double-digit growth for three consecutive years. The campaign emphasizes that print and digital channels can work together rather than acting as rivals.