Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism, Satyakama Maharaj announced plans to position Trinidad and Tobago as the creative hub of the Caribbean, leveraging cultural arts into sustainable economic activity that drives tourism growth year‑round.
“Countries that treat culture as entertainment will always spend money. Countries that treat culture as industry will create wealth.”
Speaking at the launch of Amalgation- a Caribbean tour hosted at the National Academy of the Performing Arts (NAPA) on Thursday, Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism, Satyakama Maharaj, recognised cultural arts as an underutilized economic avenue, stressing the need for greater investment.
He stated that by positioning the sector as the main creative hub of the caribbean, the country can scale greater economic growth while creating new employment opportunities for performers and generate larger foreign exchange earnings.
“We are building a coordinated platform to promote our creative industries internationally, expand market access, attract investment, and create new opportunities for our artists and entrepreneurs.”
The minister said the main way he intends to attract foreign investors and customers is through the creation of a transatlantic hub, connecting Africa and Asia to the caribbean.
“My dream is to open that gateway from Africa, a transatlantic hub starting in Accra, Ghana, opening up the whole East India, China, Australia, coming to Ghana and coming to Trinidad as a transatlantic hub. That is going to bring people like mad.”
Through the National Film Commission’s production expenditure rebate program, the Minister reported the facilitation of more than 90 local productions, in turn generating over $56 million TT in economic activity. He noted that Play of the Arts will also represent another powerful example of that model.
“This year’s production will bring international performers and technical professionals to Trinidad and Tobago, creating business for hotels, restaurants, transport providers, event producers, and countless small enterprises that support our visitor economy.”
Minister Maharaj said the event Marking the first stop of a three-country tour including Barbados and Jamaica, is framed as an opportunity to combine international excellence with local talent to create lasting economic value for the country.