President Dr. Irfaan Ali assured representatives from the local entertainment industry that his government will make the necessary investments to propel them to higher heights.
The President also announced the development of an action plan that will target every category of the industry and unearth talent nationwide.
He made the announcements during a candid conversation on Tuesday afternoon at State House with performers who took part in the 56th Independence Anniversary Flag Raising Ceremony at Damon Square, Anna Regina in Region Two.
The Head of State said that the Government is mulling a gamut of ideas to push the entertainment sector to the next level, which includes having an artiste exchange program with Barbados, propelling local artistes to be part of cruise liners’ entertainment programs, investing in the gaps in the industry to ensure that persons from all genres can thrive, and a special initiative with the private sector to raise resources for priority areas.
“All of this is done because we believe strongly in what you have.”
President Ali charged the performers to see their importance in promoting social cohesion while explaining that they will have critical parts to play in accelerating the ‘One Guyana’ agenda.
“You have the passion, you have the emotions, you have the expression and you have a stage that is essential in pushing this ‘One Guyana’…You are working on a platform that will bring Guyana together”.
INITIAL INVESTMENT
The Head of State reminded the performers that his Government has returned $100m to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s budget for the development of artists and the industry as a whole. He said that the money has been set aside, but that the Government and stakeholders in the industry must find an approach that benefits all participants.
“For that to happen, it requires all of us to work together…What I want all of us to build is a unique product—a Guyanese product, a product in which you will all look out for each other, and we will all advance together.”
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