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Caribbean Export Development Agency Facilitating the Regional AV Sector Summary and Recommendations The Caribbean Export Development Agency, through support from the EU funded Caribbean Trade and Private Sector Development Program, has been supporting over the past three years the development of the regional audiovisual sector and other “new sectors� which have the potential to propel the region’s economic diversification. These new sectors are principally service and intellectual property industries that are innovation and creativity-intensive. They include spa and wellness, professional services and naturally, the creative industries (e.g. music, audiovisual and fashion). Caribbean creativity in itself is undisputed - the region is recognized as a space rich in cultural heritage, artistic expression and openness to new influences and experimentation. However, there is a very low rate of economic conversion into intellectual capital and net foreign exchange earnings. It is industrial upgrading and the provision of business support mechanisms that will determine the extent to which the region will become truly competitive in the creative industries. This process requires a higher degree of regional, organization and institutionalized support. Caribbean Export therefore has focused most of its attention on the development of regional business support networks (e.g. the Caribbean Audiovisual Network Caribbean Music Industry Network Organization and the Caribbean Fashion Industry Association) which have as their major objective the generation of increased
Volume 1 September - November 2010
export opportunities through regional collaboration. Such collaborative efforts include joint participation in international trade fair events like the Toronto International Film Festival, hosting of regional conferences, training initiatives, lobbying and advocacy, and public education. A major focus will be on building business capacity and providing mechanisms to better facilitate intraregional and international co-productions. As a result of closer collaboration in the creative industries at the regional level, the region has seen an explosion of productivity, political will and institutional developments. Creative industries, especially the audiovisual sector, now feature in the national export strategies of most Caribbean countries. From smaller economies like the Eastern Caribbean states, to larger countries like Dominican Republic, there are now vibrant film producer associations, film commissions/ film offices and even film laws. These are exciting times for the Caribbean audiovisual sector and Caribbean creativity in general and through the 10th European Development Fund and other partnerships Caribbean Export will continue to support these networks and associations as a mainstay of its strategy for the sustainable development of the Caribbean creative industries For more information, please contact the sector specialist and networks facilitator at Caribbean Export, Tonika Sealy: tsealy@carib-export.com
www.creativeindustriesexchange.org
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