Minister Grange Highlights Creative Industry’s Potential to Grow the Economy

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, says Jamaica’s creative industry has the potential to exponentially grow the economy and create jobs.

She noted that the industry is already an alternative to traditional sectors which drive gross domestic product (GDP).

“So the creative economy is, therefore, alive and kicking, and we must not only punch but stamp our mark way above our weight class,” Ms. Grange said.

She made the remarks while speaking during the third edition of the Jamaica Creative Career Expo on Wednesday (February 21) at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.

The expo, organised by the Ministry through its Jamaica Creative Unit, targeted over 1,000 high school and tertiary students interested in pursuing studies or businesses in the creative industry as well as creative practitioners and entrepreneurs.

It also featured a Creative Business Village, showcasing creative businesses, agencies, industry associations and creative training institutions.

Minister Grange said the expo aims to have students “feeling confident about the future of the creative industry, and to be more knowledgeable about the various career possibilities.”

“Students, there are numerous creative careers out there for you to explore and become a part of the creative economy,” she said.

The Minister noted that in 2022, the sector generated some $2.2 billion in revenue and accounted for 5.2 per cent of the island’s GDP, as well as three per cent of direct and indirect employment.

She recounted that when the sector was temporarily reopened between June and August 2020, following the onset of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, figures from the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) had shown that Jamaica’s economy grew by an estimated $17 billion in the previous quarter.

“The only thing that could account for the sharp increase was the temporary reopening of the entertainment sector,” Ms. Grange said.

She urged the students to use the opportunity to learn more about the various creative entities and seek more information regarding their career path.

“This one-stop approach to creating business and enterprise has been created just for you. Today is the day to, not be just beautiful, but bold,” Ms. Grange further told the students.