ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell Wednesday urged financial institutions to actively support the development of the creative industries in Grenada, saying it is a foreign exchange earner and would also help diversify the local economy.
“I am, therefore, inviting our partners in the private sector to come on board, the creative sector is worthy of your financial support, and it’s worthy of your financial investment,” Mitchell said as he addressed the launch of “Unleash,” a three-day conference for the creative and cultural industries.
“This sector represents exciting possibilities for economic diversification, foreign exchange earnings, and gross domestic product growth, positives for the private sector and development for Grenada overall.
“We, therefore, look forward to actively partnering with you in the private sector in supporting Grenada’s creative economy,” he said while sharing some details on the government’s policy for the creative economy, also referred to as the orange economy,” he said.
Prime Minister Mitchell said that the policy interventions being contemplated by his government would involve initiatives not just with the private sector but also with a broad cross-section of stakeholders.
He said the recently established Office of Creative Affairs will work with the Grenada Cultural Foundation, the Department of Culture, and other cultural associations to achieve the policy objectives.
“In our quest to build our creative economy, we also understand the need to reach out beyond the shores of Grenada; we need to hold hands and create synergies with our brothers and sisters across the region to learn from their experiences and best practices where possible,” he told the participants which included entertainers, fashion designers, authors, graphic designers, and photographers.
The conference aims to foster knowledge sharing, business development, and networking opportunities by bringing together creatives, policymakers, financiers, educators, and other stakeholders.
“Through meaningful discussions and collaborations, the conference aims to explore the development potential of this dynamic sector,” said Minister for Creative Affairs Lennox Andrews.
The Grenada Office of Creative Affairs (GOCA) said the three-day “Unleash” event would focus on exploring the current state of Grenada’s creative industries, identifying the challenges and opportunities, and discussing potential solutions to address these issues.
The GOCA says the creative industries can significantly contribute to the island’s economy and that the government has recognized this potential and taken a proactive step in prioritizing its development.
It said Unleash is a step towards this goal, seeking to begin the discussion and ideas on how Grenada can take advantage of this opportunity.
GOCA said Unleash will offer a variety of activities, including panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities.
The conference will also showcase the work of local artists and designers to highlight the potential of the creative industries in Grenada and allow for networking opportunities with the conference’s regional and international expertise, it said.
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