The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is stepping up the push to put Philippine creative industries on the world map with a strategic tie-up with Spain's IE University. On March 12, DTI had a meeting with IE University and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) representatives to discuss international partnerships that would promote innovation and further opportunities for Filipino creatives.
"Such engagement further cements the government's commitment to bolstering the Philippine creative sector through collaborations with the world and digitalization," declared DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque. "In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s 'Bagong Pilipinas' vision, we are pursuing a whole-of-government strategy to fuel our creative sector, hone our local capabilities, and make the nation a globally competitive leader in innovation and design".
The initiative was spearheaded by the DTI’s Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Madrid (PTIC-Madrid), led by Commercial Counselor Althea Antonio, in collaboration with the DTI-Foreign Trade Service Corps (DTI-FTSC). The Philippine Embassy in Madrid played a key role in facilitating the discussions, with additional support from the DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group (DTI-CIG).
During the meeting, IE University, DLS-CSB, and DTI representatives explored ways to boost the Philippine creative and academic industries through international collaborations in education, sustainable fashion, and startup support. The meeting focused on pushing innovation, developing talent, and increasing the global competitiveness of Filipino students and entrepreneurs. Among the main agenda were co-funding and scholarship programs for Filipino creatives, internationalization of Philippine higher education institutions, research partnerships, and industry-academia linkages.
Recognizing IE University’s expertise in architecture and design, DTI sees strong potential for collaboration in establishing creative hubs across the Philippines. Additionally, IE University expressed interest in working with the DTI’s Creative Industries Development Office (CIDO) on initiatives focused on media, entertainment, digital creative services, and creative tourism.
"Strengthening our connections with internationally known institutions such as IE University is vital in making the Philippines a creative economy leader. With this collaboration, opportunities are created for our talents to be educated and exposed to world-class standards," DTI-CIG Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza Bautista said in discussions leading to the signing.
IE University, with headquarters in Spain and established in 1973, is among the top 10 universities globally according to the QS Rankings 2025. It has a network of more than 28 global offices around the world and is known for its cutting-edge programs in marketing, business, and communications.
The recent meeting is a continuation of the energy created during the September 2024 Philippine Creative Industries Month, when DTI and the Department of Foreign Affairs co-hosted a webinar series showcasing Philippine creative industries to an international audience. The meeting was graced by DTI-CIDO Assistant Director Jo-Dann Darong, DTI-FTSC Foreign Trade Service Officer Jeremiah Reyes, and DLS-CSB representatives Professor Benhur Ong, Architect Gerry Torres, and Director Robin Serrano. The delegation from IE University consisted of Chair Dr. Manuel Muñiz, Executive Director Ángeles Figueroa, and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific.
PTIC-Madrid and FTSC of DTI reaffirmed their support in connecting strategic partnerships between Spain and the Philippines through the creative industries. With the increase in the demand for innovation in the world, the Philippines stands ready to use international connections to enhance its creative economy and increase its global market presence.
