Ministry of Culture launches the creative industries strategy

Lebanon’s cultural and creative sectors are being positioned as a central pillar of economic recovery and national identity, following the launch of the Cultural and Creative Industries Strategy by Minister of Culture Ghassan Salameh at the National Library in Sanayeh.

The Beiruter was present at the launch and spoke with officials from the Ministry of Culture, who emphasized that the strategy is designed to address long-standing gaps in legislation, funding, and institutional support that have hindered the growth of creative industries despite their resilience.

Minister Ghassan Salame: “Investing in creativity is an investment in human beings”

Minister Salameh, in which he told The Beiruter: “Investing in creativity is an investment in human beings, in the future of the country, in unifying our identity, strengthening our national pride, and contributing to economic recovery.” He noted that “creativity and culture have never been marginal sectors, but have always formed a space for life, resistance, and hope. Despite crises, the cultural and creative sectors have endured thanks to the efforts of our creators. However, we recognize their potential and horizons, and the need for a national vision and an integrated framework that contributes to stimulating innovation and strengthening Lebanon’s cultural presence locally and internationally.”

He added: “The strategy covers nine cultural and creative sectors: heritage, museums, publishing, public libraries, music, audiovisual arts, performing arts, visual arts, and design. It represents a roadmap for the growth of these sectors in Lebanon through initiatives and practical steps, with a focus on developing legislative frameworks, facilitating procedures, supporting financing, and building capacities.”

Finally, when asked how the ministry plans to make museums, theaters, and cultural venues more accessible to people with disabilities, especially given that many spaces remain inaccessible, the minister said: “This is a major priority for us. We have made it a condition for all new venues to ensure proper accessibility.”

Contribution of cultural industries to the economy

The Beiruter received the ministry’s extensive economic research. Worldwide, the sector contributes an estimated $3.4 trillion to global GDP, placing it among the most economically significant industries on the planet. In Lebanon, culture is not just a marker of identity; it is a measurable economic driver. Cultural and creative industries contribute a notable share to the country’s gross domestic product, placing Lebanon in regional and international comparison alongside countries such as the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, where the sector is recognized as a strategic economic pillar.

To elaborate, Lebanon’s cultural and creative industries generate approximately $1.1 billion in exports and provide employment for around 166,000 people. Yet the sector remains structurally fragile: between 30 and 40 percent of workers operate within the informal economy, reflecting the lack of regulation, institutional support, and long-term protection for creative labor.

The strategy indicates that systematic investment in cultural and creative industries can enhance the sector’s contribution to GDP to around 5%, and provide approximately 100,000 job opportunities.

An overview of the proposed initiatives

 A source from the ministry outlined to The Beiruter the series of initiatives across multiple sectors, reflecting different stages of readiness and implementation.

At the legislative level, the strategy calls for the drafting of a new law for cultural industries, alongside the revision of existing legislation related to antiquities. These reforms aim to modernize the regulatory framework governing culture and heritage, while also addressing gaps in protection and governance. The plan also includes the establishment of a higher national committee for culture, designed to coordinate policy across ministries and stakeholders.

In terms of infrastructure, the roadmap emphasizes the rehabilitation and expansion of public cultural facilities, including upgrading libraries and cultural centers to ensure they are accessible, functional, and aligned with contemporary needs. It also highlights the importance of developing museums by adopting modern management and exhibition practices.

The strategy places particular focus on institutional reform. Among the key initiatives is the restructuring of the Ministry of Culture, including the appointment of a general director for cultural affairs and the creation of specialized units to better support the sector. Additionally, it proposes the activation of the National Council for Culture, with a mandate to serve as an advisory and coordinating body.

Digital transformation is another core pillar. The roadmap includes plans to launch a national digital platform for cultural content, facilitating access, documentation, and dissemination. This is paired with initiatives to digitize archives and collections, preserving cultural heritage while expanding its reach to wider audiences.

On the international front, the strategy calls for strengthening cultural diplomacy by activating Lebanon’s participation in regional and global cultural networks, partnerships, and programs. This includes collaboration with international organizations and leveraging culture as a soft-power tool to reassert Lebanon’s presence on the global stage.

Finally, the roadmap underscores the importance of financial sustainability. It proposes support mechanisms for cultural funding, including grants and incentives for creative production, as well as measures to encourage private-sector and diaspora engagement in cultural investment.

Hence, the launch of the Cultural and Creative Industries Strategy signals a shift in how culture is viewed, no longer as a peripheral sector, but as a potential engine for recovery and sustainable growth.