– Minister Prashad meets Hits & Jams, Kashif & Shanghai, Conscious Minds promoters
TOURISM Minister Mr. Manniram Prashad last week met with several promoters set to stage some of the biggest entertainment shows during this festive holiday season.  These shows and events are “fully endorsed” by the minister who, according to a statement, has  extended his ministry’s support when he met them last Thursday, at his South Road office, in Georgetown.

He met with Hits and Jams Entertainment Directors Mr. Rawle Ferguson and Mr. Kerwin Bollers. Hits and Jams will be holding a series of activities during this Christmas season including a mega concert on Christmas Day (December 25) with R&B international artiste Ashanti from the United States (US), Jamaican Artistes Jah Cure and Konshens.
Also, one of Kashif and Shanghai organisers, Mr. Kashif Muhammad, also updated Minister Prashad on the annual Kashif and Shanghai football tournament, which is one of the most popular sporting events on the calendar of activities for December.
The organisers of the event, Kashif Mohammed and Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, met His Excellency President Bharrat Jagdeo earlier this month for discussions on the 2010 tournament, and were extremely pleased with the outcome of the meeting.
The tournament kicked off on December 12 and will run for a period of ten days, featuring intense competitions at the Guyana Football Club and community centre grounds at Uitvlugt, Enmore, Blairmont, and Linden, and at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara.
Among the new highlights is Athletico Roraima, a Brazilian team that premiered against Guyana’s National team (President’s Eleven).
Last year, the Kashif and Shanghai tournament celebrated its 20th anniversary and was graced with the presence of Edison Arantes do Nascimento, popularly known as ‘King Pele’.
Minister Prashad also took time to meet with Conscious Minds Promotion Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Lennox Lewis; Manager, Ms. Iana Lewis; and its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Mondale Smith.
Their  ‘I am Okay’  international Christmas concert is expected to attract some 15,000 persons at the National Stadium as well, on December 18, 2010 featuring Jamaican reggae stars Beenie Man, Future Fambo, Ritchie Loops, and Soca queen from Trinidad and Tobago Destra, as well as a line-up of local talents like Jessica Xavier, Mystic and Major Joe B.
Minister Prashad said he expect the shows to be of high standards and wished them all the success. 
He said this augurs well since visitors coming into Guyana can enjoy a number of activities, and it fits into the Government’s drive towards having a hub of activities during, at least, three periods of the year – Mashramani, August holidays and Christmas.
In April last year, President Jagdeo met with several stakeholders in the entertainment industry and proposed innovative ideas for local entertainment to keep visitors occupied, at the same time creating endless opportunities for entertainers and the tourism industry.
During the dialogue with the stakeholders, President Jagdeo said that entertainment in Guyana can be successfully planned and staged if organised through collaborative effort of promoters, fashion designers, tourism stakeholders, airline agencies and other stakeholders.
Minister Prashad also said he is happy that Conscious Minds Promotion is giving our Guyanese entertainers a chance to showcase their talent.
President Jagdeo has endorsed the tax exemption request by Conscious Minds Promotions as it prepares to stage what it considers one of the biggest entertainment shows for the holiday season.
Conscious Minds said it is extremely happy and grateful for the Government’s assistance.