State Minister says Jamaica Should Go After Larger Share of Global Creative Industry

State Minister for Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams, says Jamaica should go after a larger share of the global US$624 billion creative goods and services market.

Creative industry growth in Jamaica has moved from $313 million to $1.6 billion during the past two years, she pointed out, during her contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on June 26.

“If adequately nurtured by government and private sector partners, the production, sale, and trade of creative goods can broaden our economic base, create a wide variety of jobs, and spur innovation,” she said.

Currently, Mrs. Ffolkes Abrahams said, the main focus is in the areas of film, animation, music, fashion, publishing and visual arts.

She explained that there is a special focus on building a local animation industry, beginning with activities, such as the recent animation conference, KingstOOn, held at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, from June 20 to 21.

The State Minister said the conference was spearheaded by the Ministry, with sponsorship from the World Bank, with which JAMPRO and the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining has been collaborating.

“The conference brought to light the fact that Jamaica has a vibrant and growing animation industry,” she stated, noting that later this year, Jamaica will host a Regional creative industries conference.

“We will be looking in very practical ways at issues, such as monetization and valuation of Intellectual Property (IP). In other words, how the industry can utilize intangible assets to attract capital investment in creative enterprises,” Mrs. Ffolkes Abrahams said.

Contact: Alphea Saunders