Culture Minister and J. Wray & Nephew Sign Partnership Agreement

A $90-million partnership agreement has been signed between the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and J. Wray & Nephew Limited to provide support for Reggae Month celebrations.

J. Wray & Nephew, a subsidiary of the Campari Group, will sponsor Reggae Month in cash and kind over the next three-years.

The agreement was signed by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Olivia Grange and Managing Director of J. Wray & Nephew Limited, Jean-Philippe Beyer during a ceremony held on Friday (January 26) at the Ministry’s offices at 4-6 Trafalgar Road in Kingston.

Reggae Month, which will be observed from February 1 to 29, will feature exciting activities each day.

In her remarks, Minister Grange expressed appreciation for the agreement.

“To me it’s like a dream come through, a spiritual partnership made in heaven,” she said.

Under the agreement, Ms. Grange said that the Ministry will expand Reggae Month celebrations, as well as “unearth and develop new talent and provide a bigger platform to showcase Reggae singers and musicians”.

Additionally, she stated that the sponsorship agreement will create more opportunities for people to earn directly and indirectly from the music.

“This partnership will go a long way to us achieving our goal of making Reggae Month truly an all-island Festival and a worldwide brand,” she added.

For his part, Mr. Beyer said that J. Wray & Nephew has a social responsibility to Jamaica and its people.

“Our long-term commitment is the development of what we see as the three major pillars of Jamaican culture, our food and drink, sports and music,” he said, adding that the support will have a great impact on the country’s economy.

The Managing Director noted that the company will not only support the Ministry’s efforts to develop music, but also provide a separate sponsorship package for the Jamica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA).

Mr. Beyer said J. Wray & Nephew’s commitment will extend beyond the sponsorship and that programmes will be launched in challenging communities to reach the youth and to offer opportunities for aspiring musicians.

“Our goal for this talent is not only to support their artistic endeavours, but also to show their peers that there are alternatives to crimes,” he added.

Meanwhile, Reggae Month church service and launch will take place on Sunday, January 28 at Fellowship Tabernacle, 2 Fairfield Avenue, Kingston 20, beginning at 9:30 a.m.