PNP promises $1 billion in support for creative industries
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A future People’s National Party (PNP) Government will provide $1 billion in support for the creative and cultural industries, according to the party’s spokesman on finance, Julian Robinson.
He gave the commitment Thursday as he made his contribution to the 2025/26 Budget Debate at Gordon House.
“Jamaica’s creative and cultural industries hold immense potential to drive growth, yet many talented individuals and small businesses in this sector struggle due to a lack of structured support,” Robinson noted.
He pointed out that emerging TikTokers, Youtubers, and digital content creators are already shaping the global digital content space, building audiences of millions and generating income—all without government involvement.
“Imagine what could be achieved if structured support was in place. With the right investment and policies, the government can catalyse a creative boom, turning raw talent into globally competitive brands that contribute to Jamaica’s economy,” Robinson stated.
“To unlock the full potential of the creative sector, the PNP will establish a J$1 billion Creative Economy Support Fund—a game-changer in developing small creative businesses into export-ready enterprises,” he told the Parliament.
The Opposition spokesman said the fund, which will be managed by the Development Bank of Jamaica, is a “reprioritization of spending, reflecting the PNP’s strong focus on export-led growth and the pivotal role of the creative economy in this strategy”.
Robinson said the $1 billion will come from discretionary spending within the government’s programmed budget, redirecting funds toward industries with high economic potential. It will support small businesses in the creative sector by helping them to develop business plans to structure and scale their ventures; expand into new markets, making Jamaican talent more competitive on the world stage; access working capital to sustain and grow their operations; build out entertainment spaces for festivals and events, further boosting the tourism and creative economy.
