We would like to inform you about the current situation on the project 'Creative Industries Development Partnership' and invite you on the upcoming workshop to be held on 10-11 November 2001 . As you know, the goal of the partnership is to develop enterprise and small businesses in St Petersburg's cultural sector.

A detailed report based on the research and analysing the current situation in St Petersburg will be published in due course. However, it is possible to say at once that the research did confirm that while St Petersburg is rich in heritage and the classic performing arts, the creative industries are less well-supported, particularly in 'life style' activities and in areas of contemporary arts and innovation.

The project partners are now working on lines for development, plotting the St Petersburg findings against the successful experience of the partner cities. Several strategic lines are emerging: the need for joint marketing initiatives; exploring alternative sources of investment and micro-credit; developing business skills through a programme of mentoring and other means; accessing the considerable existing expertise in the city and making it more available; building networks, including formal and informal structures for support and debate.

In order to decide how to take these ideas forward, the organisers would like to invite you to a residential meeting at Dacha Kochubeia, Tsarskoe Selo. The session will begin at 18.30 on 10 November, and continue until 18.00 the following day; all expenses to be carried by this Tacis programme. The aim will be to bring together some 15 representatives of the sector with the Partnership organisers from Helsinki, St Petersburg and Manchester: to brainstorm the various ideas and consider how best to develop them.

Please respond within by 30.10.2001, to indicate your availability to Elena Belova at belova@leontief.spb.su, tel/fax 319-9626. If you are able to accept this invitation a paper will be circulated to you in one week's time as the basis for the discussion.

Susan Causey Project Coordinator

The aim of the November meeting at Dacha Kochubeiia is thus to bring together representatives of creative industry expertise already existing in St Petersburg: to consider pilot projects that would facilitate the development of St Petersburg's creative industries sector, both as a whole and in its burgeoning sub-sectors, and identify ways it may be possible to share international experience and combine efforts, in order to set up the building blocks of a supportive infrastructure to develop the sector.

Discussions will be organized around the following themes:

1. The "culture and commerce" dilemma

2. State sector and independents

3. Education and training - including targeted skills support

4. Influencing the situation: Sector organization; lobbying power; joint marketing and other initiatives

5. Specialist expertise: Finance, intellectual property, management, legal services, etc. What exists? What is required?

6. International partnerships and trade