 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regional News>Study highlights business promise of Caribbean culture
|
 |
Trade negotiators are planning to sell Carib-bean culture to the world, suggesting that the unique music, food, and other differentiating features could be packaged and spun into earnings.
But first, they have to sell the idea to Caricom heads of Government.
Critics in the past have pointed to the lack of governmental and policy support for music, artisans, and other creative sectors, despite growing international demand and consumption of such services and products, a point acknowledged in a new study.
Said the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM): "To date, formal support by most governments in the region has been inadequate and this is largely due to the lack of data on the sector."
APPRECIATION OF TALENTS
But the trade body also said the study concluded that there was growing
appreciation of creative talents in the Caribbean.
The Barbados based CRNM, in a release, said a cultural sector held good promise for business.
"The conclusion is that the cultural industries should be viewed as a critical strategic resource in the move towards creating sustainable development options," the release stated.
The study highlighting the comparative advantage of culture is to be presented to Caricom heads of government, the CMC reported,
quoting trade ambassador Dr Richard Bernal, director general of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM).
"The creative sectors hold tremendous potential for promoting the development and economic diversification of this region," said Bernal.
"This study is therefore critical as it will assist the region in formulating the policies that address the key issues and challenges currently affecting this region."
The CRNM head formally presented the study to Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur on Tuesday.
The CRNM suggested that the region could leverage earnings by investing in the development of culture as a new sector of the economy, saying it would generate new, high valued-added and indigenous forms of employment, production and exports.
"It aids in the diversification of mono production economies and facilitates a more competitive platform," said the trade body.
It is expected that Bernal and his team will highlight recommendations for more solid regulatory and policy support when the document reaches the heads of government.