National Cultural Foundation Shifts Focus to Cultural Export for Creative Industries, Says CEO

State support for the creative industries is pivoting towards culture-for-export, according to the National Cultural Foundation’s chief executive.

The cultural development agency made the pitch to entrepreneurs to help maximise revenue potential from overseas consumers last November as a major marketplace looms on the calendar.

The NCF’s Senior Business Development Officer Andrew Hoyte disclosed the NCF’s export drive in remarks on behalf of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Carol Roberts at its Accelerate to Export Symposium and Buyers’ Visit.

Over two days, international buyers and facilitators offered guidance on exporting products and services globally, targeting entrepreneurs in the orange economy, specifically artisans in home and accents, fashion and accessories, and the beauty, spa, and wellness sectors.

The first day of the symposium provided a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their products to international buyers, who offered valuable feedback on product display and provided tips on capturing buyers’ attention at trade shows.

On day two, participants heard from institutions and professionals involved in the export value chain, including shipping, financial services, and trade facilitators.

Also offering guidance to the entrepreneurs were officials from New York NOW, one of the largest biannual wholesale trade shows at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Its winter show is set for February 4-7 with its second show during the summer.

The NCF CEO emphasised the strategic importance of programmes that provide creative businesses access to markets with significant revenue potential, identifying a partnership with NY NOW’s Rising Artisans Programme.

She said: “Many of our programmes are based on providing creative businesses with access to markets with significant revenue generation potential. Therefore, our relationship with the NY NOW Rising Artisans Programme is strategic for positioning these businesses in global spaces.”

The participants were told of the NCF’s role in providing opportunities to “get a sample of the type of retailers you will want to engage with, for the benefit of your market development, and toward building relationships that can result in leads and orders”.

The symposium also featured guidance from entities such as Export Barbados, Sagicor Bank, and shipping and logistics firm PriceWhirl Barbados. Frank Cox and Teddy Leon of PriceWhirl emphasised the positive impacts of shipping and logistics on the economy, including job creation, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability. George Thomas, the head of Sagicor Bank, outlined the fledgling regional online bank’s plans to facilitate e-commerce sales and introduce a credit card.