Kingston, July 12 – The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, has said that events such as Gosplash“reinforce the contribution of the cultural and creative sectors to the economy.”

According to the Minister several stakeholders, including owners and operators, suppliers of goods and services, hoteliers, taxi operators, the peanut man, jerk chicken man among others derive economic and social benefits from the hosting of events such as Gosplash which will be held on August 1.

Minister Grange was speaking at the launch function on July 11 at the LiguaneaGolf Club in New Kingston.

Citing a report by the Jamaica Constabulary Force the Minister said that “19,158 event permits were granted in 2017, a one percent increase over the 2016 figures. These events provided more than 30,000 temporary jobs.”

Between 2013 and 2017 the value of entertainment to the economy was estimated to be J$107 billion/ [US$836 million].”

The Minister said that such figure was “an undervaluation” since not all the entertainment sub-sectors were accounted for.

She said the staging of the Auto Channel Gosplash in Kingston is a welcome addition to the calendar of events for the UNESCO designated Creative City of Music.

Gosplash, now in its sixth year, has changed venue location from Portmore in St. Catherine to the Liguanea Golf Club in New Kingston.

Minister Grange commended the organisers of Gosplash and praised the sponsors for seeing the value in it.

“It is resilience and creativity that have brought the event this far and so we are resolved that my Ministry will continue to work towards the creation of a facilitating and supportive environment where everyone has a place and an opportunity to be a part of the solution. All genres of Jamaican music will thrive,” Minister Grange said.

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