 Jamaica's Minister of Industry, Commerce and Technology, Phillip Paulwell, has assured us that the Jamaican Government plans to help develop the culture industries as a primary focus of the 21st century.
According to Mr. Paulwell, developments in the North American medic landscape favours Jamaica. For example, the merger between America On-line and Time Warner allows the new mega-entity to do some pretty significant things. “This is the take-off point for the music business.” Time Warner chairman, Gerald Levin says,
He added that, any growth in the music industry will benefit Jamaica, as we have demonstrated our prowess in this area. We are part of a large Latin American region, whose music is now very much in the spotlight. Latin music is the craze in the North America pop scene.
To achieve the target: JAMPRO has been mandated to deploy a number of initiatives to prepare Jamaica for the exponential growth in entertainment services globally. JAMPRO has just launched a Website devoted to our music industry, which we believe will have a major impact.
A strategy has been devised to deal with these developments, as well as to ensure that our artistes are positioned to reap the increasing benefits through e-commerce (the retail side of the business estimated to be worth US$108 billion by 2003).
An electronic Sounds of Jamaica Directory created on the Web has been, listing our artistes, their photos, biographical information, a sound byte of their music, links to their websites, where they exist; as well as our recording studios, producers, promoters, video companies, etc.
The Government will also be developing 'chat lines' for the artistes' so they can communicate with their fans and conduct business. In addition, we will develop links with a number of relevant Websites and will seek to link our music industry personnel with those best able to advance their interests.
Through Jamaica's Electronic Trade Point Programme, a virtual trade centre implemented by JAMPRO, the Government will seek to set up alliances with companies in many countries.
In this comprehensive Internet-based strategy for Jamaica's music industry, JAMPRO has been mandated to offer video conferencing and translation services to the industry. On-line booking will also be facilitated. Overall, the website development strategy will address the main threats and concerns of the music industry globally: Fragmented distribution of CDs and cassettes; high cost of manufacturing; high cost of tourism and live performances as well as high cost for advertising on the electronic media; pending convergence of technologies, e.g. TV, Internet, Cable Bandwidth; the need to penetrate new or undeveloped markets.
There are plans to web-cast major events or concerts in Jamaica, as well as provide news and updates on the industry, artists etc.
On the surface, this seems as much too little too late. But the truth is that it is better late than never and we wish the Minister all the success in these endeavors.
Balford Henry, Editor-in-Chief |
