Spanning comics, cultural tourism, museums, and television and film, the initiative will combine the efforts of the nation’s 22 regional cultural affairs departments and assist homegrown innovators expand global competitiveness.
“While stepping up subsidies for individual artists and workshops, the Ministry of Culture is reviewing development of local cultural parks and strengthening matchmaking between the two for optimal results,” Hung said at a national cultural affairs meeting in Taipei City.
“Focus zones include Beitou in Taipei, Linkou in New Taipei, Matsu New Village in Taoyuan, Gateway Park and Wufeng in Taichung, and Tainan. These sites are expected to grow into operational hubs for local filmmakers.”
In addition, a collaborative project is underway with the Ministries of Economic Affairs and Science and Technology to establish the nation’s first comics industry base, Hung said.
Located at the back of Taipei Main Station, the facility is budgeted at a maximum of NT$60 million (US$1.9 million) and expected to further expand the industry’s production scale and annual output of NT$1.8 billion.
According to the minister, the MOC will also boost collaboration with the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, in a bid to create 21 cultural tourism routes comprising 208 attractions around Taiwan.
Highlights of the travel plan include the country’s thriving independent bookstore scene, with 45 operators signing on for the project.
“This initiative is set to get a further boost once the Museum Act is passed by the Legislature, clearing the way for Taiwan’s 746 museums and similar institutions to diversify development and enhance competitiveness,” Hung said.
“We have every reason to believe that this policy, based on respecting regional differences while understanding local needs, will succeed in charting a new course for Taiwan’s cultural and creative industries.” (YHC-JSM)
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