THE EDITOR, Sir:
WITH THE unceremonious demise of Jamaica's landmark entertainment board, of which I was the first chairman, I decided to concentrate on my business and leave national policy, action, or more to the point, inaction, to Government.
After spending almost two years, along with a team of highly committed and dedicated board members developing policy, projects and programmes as well as drafting a workable incentives legislation for entertainment, which Government claimed that it wished to enact; and after seeing all of that work go up in smoke, due to a lack of will and virtually no funding from Government, compounded by classic dilly dallying and changes in administration, there seemed little point to continue.
It is no secret that our creative industries have the potential to transform the economic fortunes of this country. I am, therefore, heartened by the elevation of Portia Simpson Miller to high office. Under her leadership at the Tourism Ministry the entertain-ment industry was highly motivated, excited and energised. Maybe it could be again.
Jamaica's creative industries are wide and diverse, possessing an explosive potential which the world recognises and which locally, we continue to underestimate and disrespect, to our peril. The well-documented international success of our musicians, writers, actors, models, sportsmen and sportswomen are barely the tip of the iceberg of our potential. It is an indication of our confidence, attitude, talent and culture. We have the 'raw materials' of our industry in overwhelming supply. We simply need to put the other elements in place.
ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
What is missing is that 'enabling environment', despite the absence of which, many have succeeded, and with which, these industries would thrive and grow to amazing proportions.
They do not need significant regulation. They need develop-ment, training, incentives, management, more entrepre-neurship and access to appropriate funding.
They also need good business models within an environment which gives full reign to creativity and innovation, backed by the necessary policy support.
After all, wasn't entertainment declared a priority under the National Industrial Policy? Where is that policy now? Must we constantly chop and change? Why can't we stay the course that leads to success?
Fortunately, signals currently emanating from Jamaica's new management in waiting, suggest that a new day may be dawning for our creative industries.
I sincerely hope that it is. If it is not, then those of us who are committed, will simply continue to create pockets of success, ruing the fact that instead, we could have had an explosion of business, generating wealth across Jamaica to the benefit of us all.
Maybe the time is right, maybe the time is here. Now it's over to you Madam Prime Minister.
I am, etc.,
KINGSLEY COOPER
Executive Chairman
Pulse Investments Limited
