MINISTER within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Steven Jacobs has said that the government is moving to give the Orange Economy greater structure and direction to unlock its full economic and creative potential.
The minister made this known while speaking on the Starting Point podcast, during which he stated that the aim is not only to recognise the sector but actively identify opportunities and channel investment into it as Guyana continues to expand its cultural and entertainment offerings.
“The Orange Economy is something that already exists, but it’s to put structure to the Orange Economy, and then to also seek out the opportunities and show persons where the opportunities are,” the minister said.
He noted that major national events, including activities tied to Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary Diamond Jubilee celebrations, are providing a significant platform for growth in the sector, with a wide range of events already stimulating economic activity.
According to the minister, entertainment-led initiatives such as carnival-style events demonstrate the wide-reaching benefits of the Orange Economy, particularly through what he described as “spill-off effects” that extend beyond performers and organisers.
Using large-scale events as an example, he pointed to how multiple shows and performances attract visitors from the diaspora and neighbouring countries, resulting in increased demand across several sectors.
“The taxi driver on the road, the normal person, they will benefit, the bars will benefit, because once you have people in the country, they will look for entertainment,” he said.
He added that service providers such as hairdressers and nail salons also benefit from the influx of visitors, underscoring the broad-based impact of a thriving events and entertainment sector.
Minister Jacobs stressed that the government’s approach is focused on ensuring that creatives are able to benefit directly from their work, while also building a sustainable system that supports the wider industry.
He further highlighted sports tourism as a key pillar of the orange economy strategy, pointing to upcoming events such as the GT Challenge at the South Dakota Circuit, scheduled for July 11 and 12, which will be hosted in Guyana for the first time in the Caribbean.
He also referenced the Global Super League and the Global T10 cricket tournament as part of efforts to position Guyana as a regional hub for sports and entertainment.
“This is about building a system that can support the creative industry, and that is what we’re doing,” he said.
