Time for genuine investment in to creative economy, sports

Opposition spokesperson on the Creative Economy and Sports Industry Development Alan Springer is adamant that now was the time for genuine investment in these sectors.

“I believe that it is time that these industries begin to contribute to transforming Barbados into a modern economy and it is time that these become genuine economic engines,” he stressed.

He highlighted that in the US alone the creative industry generated $800 billion annually, representing 10 percent of that country’s economy, putting it in close ranks with its manufacturing sector, which represents 11 percent of the GDP.
“Now I am not suggesting that we can replicate that level of dollars, but surely we can replicate a proportionate level in Barbados and we do have some ideas to make that happen,” he argued.

Springer, who is a lecturer and writer, expressed his beliefs that these industries could act as springboards within society. “Agents for change in that they could be social levellers and could address the needs of the less social advantaged and the less academically inclined and I believe that that this is the role of the arts and sports industries.

“It is really time that we see our athletes and our artists given the same value as our doctors and our lawyers. I believe that it is time that this is understood and enacted from the classroom to the boardroom, from the playing fields to the surgeries and from the artist studios to the court of law,” he stressed.

Springer was speaking to the media moments on Saturday at the Parliament Buildings after Opposition Leader Bishop Joe Atherley introduced him and 12 other individuals as the team to speak on the Opposition’s behalf. (JMB)