CREATE

In April 2013 the International Monetary Fund (IMF) adjusted its world economic forecast and projected an economic growth of 3.3% for the world economy over 2012. While the increase, albeit a slight one, at first seemed hopeful, this projection is in fact a downgrade of their original forecast in January of the same year of 3.5% economic growth. The declining projection was worrisome and seemed daunting at best if not dismal. Yet, the IMF upheld their original estimation for Latin America and the Caribbean, crediting these third world countries with favorable conditions and increasing opportunities for sustained growth, despite constricting external factors. ‘French-born Trinidadian’, Jean Michel Gilbert believes to realize this growth the diversification of the regional business module to cohesively incorporate the creative industries is a must. With this type of progressive transition he predicts the conditions for economic growth of the Creative Industries are favorable indeed. Gilbert’s belief in the potential of the region’s creative industries to be a pivotal player in the future transformation of Caribbean economic growth is one fully shared by the region’s agency charged with the responsibility for driving export and attracting investment—Caribbean Export Development Agency. The agency’s executive director, Pamela Coke-Hamilton made the burgeoning creative industries sector a primary focus of the organisation’s work programme and has gone on record asking regional governments to put more funding behind new programmes which encourage creative entrepreneurship. Certainly one who can be considered a creative entrepreneur, Jean Michel Gilbert, a seasoned producer and owner of the Trinidad-based film production company Maturity Productions and Caribbean Music Group (CMG) is encouraged by the positive strides towards developing Caribbean music and film within the past decade. Noting that in the Caribbean the film industry has taken a “giant step” with this genre, Gilbert is reassured film is becoming more socially acceptable as a viable avenue for careers and businesses. Though commendable, Gilbert is quick to point out that the industry has far to go and needs the right affiliations and partnerships to get there as it continues its attempts at penetrating the international scene. His conviction is not an unfounded one, rather it is a conclusion cultivated from personal experience. Gilbert is known for his creative documentary work including Calypso @ Dirty Jim’s (2006) and Soca Power in Trinidad and Tobago (2007). His most celebrated work to date, however, is the intimate portrait of one of calypso’s most notable females, Calypso Rose. The 85-minute documentary, Calypso Rose: Lioness of the Jungle launched in 2012 at the Cannes Film Festival, was an “extremely challenging” feat to accomplish. The producer admits he was “expecting a positive outcome” and the astounding effort would bewell rewardedwith Lioness of the Jungle achieving second place in the documentary category at FESPACO (Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou), the largest film festival in Africa. The award acknowledges that while the film maintained an authentic Caribbean A SOUNDING VIEW OF DIVERSIFICATION

Gil bert’s belief in the potential of the region’s creative industries to be a pivotal player in the future transformation of Caribbean economic gr owth is one ful ly shared by the region’s agency charged with the responsibility for driving export and attracting investment— Caribbean Export Development Agency.

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