KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Alando Terrelonge, has welcomed the participation of Jamaican track and field legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference.

According to a ministry statement, Fraser-Pryce will be a featured speaker on the third day of the conference during the highly anticipated panel discussion, “Leveraging the Creative Economy to Build Stronger Cultural Industries”.

The session will explore how Jamaica can more effectively harness its cultural, sporting and creative assets to attract investment, foster entrepreneurship and strengthen economic resilience.

She will join a distinguished panel that includes Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange; acclaimed film producer Storm Saulter; singer-songwriter Naomi Cowan; actress Kimberley Patterson; and Downsound Entertainment Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Reggae Sumfest promoter Joe Bogdanovich.

The discussion will focus on practical strategies to strengthen Jamaica’s cultural industries, expand the global reach of Brand Jamaica and create greater opportunities for creatives, athletes and entrepreneurs to benefit from the country’s international influence.

“Jamaica’s culture, music, sport, film, fashion and creative talent give us a competitive advantage that few countries of our size can claim. Our responsibility is to convert that global influence into enterprise, investment and sustainable economic opportunities for our people. The diaspora has a central role to play in that effort,” Terrelonge said.

He continued, “We are inviting Jamaicans overseas and international partners to invest in the opportunities within brand Jamaica and help build the industries, platforms and partnerships that can carry Jamaica’s creative economy further.”

The minister noted that the global creative economy is valued at trillions of dollars annually and remains one of the fastest-growing sectors worldwide. He emphasised that the Government of Jamaica continues to advance policies and initiatives designed to strengthen the country’s creative industries ecosystem, recognising its importance to economic diversification, job creation, youth empowerment, innovation, and cultural preservation.

Terrelonge also expressed appreciation to the GraceKennedy Group, a legacy partner of the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, for its longstanding commitment to Jamaica’s development and continued support of diaspora engagement initiatives.

“Their support in bringing Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce into this conversation adds one of Jamaica’s most influential global voices to a session focused on the future of the country’s cultural and creative economy,” he said.

The conference will serve as a platform for collaboration, investment and innovation, bringing together Jamaicans across the diaspora and friends of Jamaica to help shape initiatives that contribute to the country’s continued growth and development.