Managing Director of Kontact, Anthony Layne, is encouraging fellow band leaders to take advantage of the duty-free concessions extended to all bands who register under the Cultural Industries Bill.

 

“Kontact has already registered,” Layne revealed during the band’s 2016 media launch yesterday at Coral Mist Beach Hotel, Worthing, Christ Church.

 

“From the onset of the global recession in 2008, the ability to produce a band for Crop Over has been challenging, but there is light at the end of the tunnel… There is a dual benefit of registering under the Cultural Industries Bill – collectively we can demonstrate to the powers that be our contribution to the economy of Barbados. 

 

“This will enable us to have a valid argument for the need of a reduction in the VAT that is paid by masquerade bands and promoters alike; 17.5% is astronomical and it is killing the industry. Like tourism, our indirect employment is far reaching and the need for relief,” he stated.

 

This year, Kontact will be on the road powered by Barbados Yellow Pages under the theme “Into the Bleu”. The Grand Kadooment band is once again being designed by Nigel Wellington and a new addition to the design team, Kathy-Ann Scott.

 

“They have cooked up a kaleidoscope of colour within the sections,” Layne pointed out.

 

He added that the response has already been overwhelming, revealing “Our perfect number to cater for this year would be 700 to 800 but given the response so far it will be a lot more - actually we are looking for 1200 to 1400, definitely more than 2015. We are having a lot of traction towards the band; a lot of queries, we have people already signed up for band and they have not even seen the costumes as yet. The costumes are fabulous and will be unveiled on Saturday April 9th at Bagatelle Great House”.

 

(TL)