GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (DPI) – The government of Guyana is moving to formally structure Guyana’s creative industries under a defined “Orange Economy” framework, positioning culture and creativity as a key economic pillar alongside tourism, minister of tourism, industry and commerce Susan Rodrigues has announced.
The initiative was outlined recently during a national consultation held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, which brought together stakeholders from the tourism sector, private sector, and creative industries.
Minister Rodrigues said Guyana’s cultural and creative industries must no longer be viewed only as expressions of identity, but as productive sectors capable of generating jobs, attracting investment, and expanding exports.
The minister said the Orange Economy framework is being developed to structure the sector so that creatives can operate as entrepreneurs and exporters, thereby contributing directly to national development.
“This is about recognising creativity as business, as investment, and as export potential,” she said in essence, noting that global trends show creative industries already account for a significant share of world trade.
A key component of the strategy, the minister said, is improving access to financing for creatives and small businesses.
The tourism minister referenced the planned establishment of a Guyana Development Bank, for which enabling legislation has already been introduced in the National Assembly. The institution, she said, is expected to expand access to credit for small and medium-sized enterprises, including those in the creative and tourism sectors.
The minister emphasised that the government’s approach is focused on moving beyond cultural promotion and the commercialisation of the creative sector.
“The objective must be to transform talent into enterprise and ideas into exports,” she said, adding that the Orange Economy can contribute to employment, foreign exchange earnings, and sustainable development,” the minister stated.
The Orange Economy framework will form part of the government’s broader economic diversification strategy, complementing growth in tourism and other non-oil sectors as Guyana continues to expand its economy.