$1.3 billion to transform T&T entertainment sector

[jeffery]

$1.3 billion needed to transform T&T entertainment sector'
By Nigel Telesford

Story Created: Aug 16, 2010 at 12:14 AM ECT

(Story Updated: Aug 16, 2010 at 2:56 AM ECT )

The Artist Coalition is calling for sector transformation to the tune of $1.3 billion.

Around $1.29 billion is the total amount that needs to be injected into the arts and entertainment sector over the next year in order to begin transforming the sector into a vibrant, thriving industry.

This figure was presented last Thursday evening at a meeting called by the Artist Coalition of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT) and attended by various industry stakeholders. The meeting was held at the office of the Trinidad and Tobago Entertainment Company Limited (TT ENT) on Long Circular Road in St James.

Interim president of ACTT, Rubadiri Victor, presented a 47-page document entitled The Way Forward and told the gathering that recent meetings with certain Government Ministers had been very productive.

He said: "These figures have been compiled after years of research and study, consultations with various industry stakeholders and meetings back and forth with the ever-changing government appointees. We now have a National Cultural Policy document, a budget document, a power-point introduction to the budget, as well as this vision for the arts and cultural sector. We have presented these documents to (Finance) Minister (Winston) Dookeran who was very supportive and appears to be very interested in pushing this initiative and advancing the needs of the sector in the interest of diversifying our economy."

[jeffery]

This is long overdue and should not be looked at as a handout but as an investment. The telecommunication/broadcast sector generated $TT4.8 billion year ending September 2008. The entertainment sector can generate double that amount if given the just financial jump start. Let's keep in mind the appropriate legislative framework must be established as the foundation to initiate this sector's transformation.

[bigzack]

What passes for entertainment in Trinidad and Tobago these days?

[BW]

This is long overdue and should not be looked at as a handout but as an investment. The telecommunication/broadcast sector generated $TT4.8 billion year ending September 2008. The entertainment sector can generate double that amount if given the just financial jump start. Let's keep in mind the appropriate legislative framework must be established as the foundation to initiate this sector's transformation.

call out on that 4.8 billion dollar-a-year figure. seems pretty absurd considering the kind of low-cost operations that we see on radio and tv.