State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), Delano Seiveright, has urged Jamaicans, particularly young people, to more deliberately pursue opportunities in the creative industries, arguing that entertainment, music, events and related cultural businesses represent one of the country’s most natural competitive advantages locally and internationally.

Seiveright was speaking after meeting with entertainment entrepreneur Romeich Major, whose work in music management, events and brand development has helped to shape aspects of Jamaica’s modern entertainment industry. He said Major’s trajectory illustrates how creative talent, when combined with business structure and persistence, can evolve into a platform for job creation, export earnings and international reach.

“Jamaica has a special niche in the creative space that we have not fully maximised,” Seiveright said. “Romeich’s journey shows that this is not just about culture or popularity. It is about building real enterprises, creating employment and exporting Jamaican creativity to the world. We need to replicate that kind of success many times over.”

Seiveright pointed to data highlighting the economic significance of the creative economy, noting that according to research by the Creative and Cultural Industries Association of Jamaica, the sector contributes an estimated 5.1 per cent of national GDP, valued at approximately J$107 billion annually. 

The state minister said these figures point to significant opportunity, but warned that many young creatives continue to struggle with business structure, access to financing, export readiness and market linkages. He argued that creative talent must be supported by stronger business planning, compliance, professionalisation and strategic partnerships if Jamaica is to fully monetise its cultural capital.

Seiveright, in a release, noted that the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce has been sharpening its focus on enterprise development, export growth and investment facilitation across key sectors, including the creative industries, as part of a wider effort to help Jamaican entrepreneurs scale beyond the local market. He said agencies such as JAMPRO continue to play an important role in supporting creative businesses with export readiness, market access and international promotion, while other arms of the ministry provide business development support and pathways to financing for MSMEs.

The state minister said the example set by Major should serve as a practical reminder that Jamaican creativity, when matched with structure, discipline and access to the right support, can compete on the global stage. He added that the country has no shortage of talent, but that more young people need to approach their ideas as scalable businesses, using the tools available through Government and private-sector partners to turn local success into sustainable international reach.