Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley, has urged Barbados’ new High-Commissioner-Designate to the United Kingdom (UK), Reverend Guy Hewitt, to assist in facilitating the export of creative goods and services from Barbados to the United Kingdom.
Speaking to Mr. Hewitt during a courtesy call at the Ministry’s office in Sky Mall, Haggatt Hall, St Michael, Lashley said that assistance was needed on the ground to help creative practitioners in Barbados create key partnerships or co-productions with their UK counterparts.
He added such initiatives could be facilitated under the European Partnership Agreement, with entertainment and film production specifically benefiting from this arrangement.
“We also want the creative sector to break into niche markets, and to be showcased through our overseas missions. This would hopefully help to expand the export of our creative works and earn foreign exchange to benefit Barbadians,” he reasoned.
The Culture Minister also encouraged Hewitt to promote Barbados as a film destination.
In turn, Hewitt noted he would be seeking to “re-launch or soft-sell Barbados to the UK diaspora” by integrating arts, sports and commerce.
The envoy said during his tenure in the UK, he was hoping to display the National Art Collection in galleries; link creative practitioners to relevant festivals; as well as host road tennis and dominoes events.
Minister Lashley pledged his Ministry’s assistance and wished Hewitt a successful tenure. (BGIS)
News, local, guy Hewitt, Stephen lashley,
