Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has made a call for African nations and CARICOM member countries to strengthen the links between the creative industries in both regions, which have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic.

Dr. Rowley was speaking at the first ever Africa-CARICOM Summit on Tuesday, which is aptly themed: “Unity Across Continents and Oceans: Opportunities for Deepening Integration”.

“Africa and the Caribbean have gifted the world with exceptional talent be it in music, publishing, film or fashion. Let us strengthen the links between our regions’ creative industries,” Prime Minister Rowley said, noting that the creative  sector has been described by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as having the capacity to be “drivers of cultural, economic and social outputs for sustainable development”.

Dr. Rowley praised the Summit, saying: “It’s been long in coming to this point today but it’s a continuation of that journey outlined by our own George Padmore, C.L.R James, Dr Eric Eustace Williams and many others who anticipated that this milestone could be reached to strengthen us in an increasingly hostile world.”