Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, Olivia Grange, has lauded former West Indies opening batsman Christopher Gayle for continuing to invest in Jamaica.

Speaking on (Thursday) against the backdrop of Gayle’s launch of his Rich Rum product at the AC Hotel on July 8, the Minister highlighted how the Jamaica-born cricket icon is driving Brand Jamaica to the world’s stage while elevating the country’s products to stratospheric levels.

Minister Grange credited the West Indian legend, one of only four batsmen to score two triple centuries in test cricket, with leveraging his immense international following to promote Jamaica’s heritage, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit.

“I was delighted to join Chris Gayle for the launch of Rich Rum, a Jamaican brand that celebrates our heritage while embracing innovation and enterprise,” Minister Grange said.

“Chris Gayle’s commitment to Jamaica—and to exposing our products to global markets—embodies the very best of what our nation can offer to the world.”

The Minister noted Gayle’s reach is far beyond the cricket pitch. With some 7.2 than eight million followers on Instagram and a presence in markets as diverse as India and Dubai, Gayle has become a powerful ambassador for Jamaican goods, culture, and creativity. The Rich Rum launch, she said, is a natural extension of his long-standing support for Jamaican talent and industry, signalling a bold path for Jamaica’s export landscape.

“Chris Gayle’s venture with Rich Rum is a testament to the power of strategic brand-building,” Minister Grange added. “It combines Jamaica’s rich heritage with modern entrepreneurship, delivering a product that resonates with consumers at home and abroad. We are proud to see a son of Jamaica chart a course that not only entertains but also strengthens our economy and cultural presence.”

Also weighing in on the development, Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Investment, Delano Seiveright, offered his own remarks on the collaboration between Jamaica’s cultural leadership and its commercial potential.

Seiveright emphasised the synergy between Jamaica’s vibrant creative sector and its investment climate, noting that projects like Rich Rum amplify Jamaica’s reputation for quality and innovation while creating opportunities for local producers, artisans, and marketers.

“Investments like Rich Rum are a signal to investors and consumers that Jamaica is serious about building brands with global appeal,” Seiveright commented. “We congratulate Chris Gayle and his team for seizing the moment, and we look forward to more Jamaica-branded products reaching international shelves and screens, supported by policies that encourage enterprise and cultural exchange.”

Gayle himself spoke warmly about his country and his latest venture. “Rich Rum is more than a drink—it’s a celebration of Jamaica’s soul: our flavours, our craft, and our entrepreneurial spirit,” he noted. “With a diaspora and fan base that spans continents, I’m committed to taking Brand Jamaica to places like India and Dubai, and to my millions of fans who continue to support our growth.”

He said that the new brand, launched by his company, Triple Gold Rums Limited, has been rolled out with a clear focus on product quality, authentic Jamaican tradition, heritage and origin, and a portfolio designed for different rum consumers and drinking occasions.

Gayle’s rise as a West Indies opening batsman to his emergence as a global sports and entertainment icon has long mirrored Jamaica’s broader narrative: talent meeting opportunity, and opportunity amplifying Jamaica’s cultural and economic reach. Rich Rum, the culmination of that journey, represents a new chapter in Jamaica’s brand-building playbook, one that marries heritage with contemporary enterprise.