The Asian contribution to London's creative industries is a huge potential asset that is ripe for future growth, according to a new report published by Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. 'Play it Right - Asian Creative Industries in London' shows that Asians currently make up approximately 6% of London's creative sector and are already making waves on the international stage.

London's creative industries contribute £21 billion annually to the capital's economy - the second highest-grossing sector after business services.

Asians make up just over 16 per cent of London's working-age population. Figures in the report show that Asian people are significantly over-represented in fast-growing sectors such as designer fashion (20.1%), arts and antiques (17.9%), and computer services and software (16.9%). These growth areas, together with a young and rapidly growing working age population, and the increasingly wide-ranging career choices second and third generation Asians are making, mean numbers are likely to grow further.

However Asians are still underrepresented in the creative industries as a whole. The report identifies constraints the Asian creative sector can face, such as difficulties accessing mainstream markets, and identifies solutions that include:

• Exploiting huge international export markets in Asia.
• More training in marketing and business planning.
• Encouragement of mainstream business to make better use of Asian creative companies.

Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said: 'The Asian presence within London's creative industries is a huge asset. It has the potential to improve the competitiveness of the sector, and to forge and sustain unique links between London and several of the world's fastest growing economies, including India and China. I will continue to work with London's Asian community and mainstream business to ensure Asian creativity is allowed to fulfil its potential.'

A new film to accompany the report, My London, looks at what makes London a hotbed of Asian creative talent. Contributors include photographers, performance artists, architects, advertisers, and designers. Presented by rising screen star Ameet Chana (Bend It Like Beckham), the film seeks to encourage a new generation of Asian talent to launch creative careers.

Ameet Chana said: 'The capital's Asian talent is a fascinating fusion of traditional and modern, western and Asian influences, and encompasses nationalities as diverse as Indians, Chinese, Bangladeshis and Japanese. My own experience is that the creative industries in the world's most vibrant city are the most exciting place to be.'

The report which will feed into the Mayor's Creative Industries Commission has not been met with universal approval though. Mr C B Patel, Publisher of weekly newspapers 'Asian Voice' and 'Gujarat Samachar' claims that inaccuracies in the report could have damaging effects on Asian owned publishing enterprises that employ hundreds of people in the capital. In an editorial statement in 'Asian Voice' (15th Fen 2003) Mr Patel admonishes Mr Livingstone for ignoring non-English language media in the publishing section. In addition Mr Patel states that "advertising agencies and public relations firms get a only a coy mention".

"We believe that this blatantly false information misguides decision makers about subscribing to Asian newspapers for their political leaders, important officers, libraries and people concerned with the welfare, equal opportunities and fairness of all Londoners especially those who belong to the various Asian communities" Mr Patel continued. "I've written to Mr Livingstone seeking an investigation and amendment to the report."

Although Ken Livingstone was unavailable for comment, his advisor on Asian Affairs, Atma Singh, said: 'It was never our intention for the report to appear to favour any specific publishing organisations. We commissioned the report aiming to provide an initial assessment of Asian creativity in London, and case studies were included to support the statistical findings. I apologise if the inclusion of case studies has been mistakenly interpreted as promoting certain Asian publishing companies over others.'

Click here to download a copy of the 'Play it Right: Asian Creative Industries in London' report (550KB)

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