JAMAICA | Dr. Hickling- Gordon Calls on Government to 'Ease Up' Business for Cultural and Creative Entrepreneurs

Kingston, Jamaica. October 19, 2024: Opposition Spokesperson on Culture and the Creative Industries (CCI), Dr Deborah Hickling Gordon, is urging the government to make greater efforts to improve the ease of doing business for cultural and creative entrepreneurs. 

“Recent Economic Impact Assessments have shown that bars, lounges and nightspots in Jamaica contribute over 28 billion dollars annually while Round Robins, small and medium events earn over 7 billion dollars”.

Dr. Hickling Gordon highlighted these figures as representing significant economic value while also emphasising the importance of these cultural models for income generation and recreation within communities. 

“Proprietors of small entertainment businesses complain bitterly that they need to be treated with respect and regard like other business operators. Systems must be put in place to ensure that rules and regulations are evenly and professionally applied, particularly in the night economy.” the CCI Spokesperson added.

She pointed to Opposition Leader Mark Golding’s recent commitment to the inter-ministerial establishment of a Single Authority to efficiently plan and permit entertainment events islandwide. 

"This is the type of political will that has been missing in making it easier for entertainment entrepreneurs to do business," Dr. Hickling Gordon added.

The PNP’s proposed national authority will create systems and streamline processes across relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in central government and municipalities.

The goal is to ensure greater efficiency and communication in regulating events, festivals, and other activities islandwide. "We have already met with various stakeholders, including sound-system operators, promoters, and experts in policing practices and standards," she said.

Dr. Hickling Gordon further outlined plans that the PNP will implement once in government. "Our plans include the establishment of entertainment zones in suitable locations, allowing for 24-hour entertainment. 

Additionally, we will develop balanced and clear guidelines under the Noise Abatement Act to support night-time entertainment in communities," she continued.

Other inter-ministerial proposals to improve the ease of doing business for cultural and creative entrepreneurs include:

• Empowering local authorities to manage local amenities (such as parking facilities and bus parks) to enhance revenue generation and hold them accountable for their performance.
• Introducing new regulations to address street food, vending, barbers, cosmetologists, etc., fostering a conducive and safe environment for these vibrant local economic activities.
• Reviewing the Places of Amusement Regulations (1899) and the Spirit Licence Act (1928) to establish a transparent process, removing arbitrariness to ensure fair treatment and enhance opportunities in the entertainment industry.
• Reviewing vending regulations to ensure dignified treatment of vendors by prescribing spaces with the necessary services and implementing proper zoning for events.
• Supporting and transforming local commerce through reform and development initiatives for events and activities.
• Ensuring dignified public services by agencies that respect cultural and creative activities contributing to community well-being and economic growth.

In the interim, Dr. Hickling Gordon reiterated her call for planned development of the culture and creative sectors, particularly the completion of the sub-sector policy for entertainment. 

"A modern culture and creative economy policy, plan, legislation, and regulations that cut across the expressions and economic sectors of the cultural economy are long overdue. These are the issues Jamaican creative practitioners should be guided by," she said.

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