The creative sector of a country has the potential to contribute in a major way to its economy. This notion is especially true for developing countries, according to Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony.In fact,Cheap NFL Jerseys, he revealed recently that in some cases as much as 10 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of developing countries is earned through the creative sector, an achievement he is confident that Guyana can emulate.“We can start making that difference here, and Mashramani offers us that opportunity of making that difference,” the Minister opined.He posited that Guyana has the potential of cashing in on its creativity, in the area of songs which have been produced in abundance over the years.“Very often when we talk about songs and people singing in Guyana we always lament that we don’t have enough content and we don’t have enough Guyanese songs, but for the last six years alone, I can safely say that for every one of those years there were more than 100 songs to choose from just for Mash. We have the Chutney, Soca, Calypso and Health song competitions,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, so in any given year, more than 100 songs are written and performed for Mash.”Next year will mark Guyana’s 43rd Republic Anniversary, and according to Minister Anthony, if the past 42 years are reflected on “we would have produced 4,Wholesale Jerseys China,200 songs, and that by itself is a major feat that we have been overlooking”.The Minister made his remarks as he officially launched the 2013 Mashramani activities being streamlined for the Republic Anniversary. He asserted that Mash is designed to contribute in a very significant way to the development of Guyanese culture. Aside from songs, he pointed to steel bands and designing, insisting that “in almost all the spheres you can see the same impact being replicated”.Although there are plans to ensure that tradition remains constant for the celebration of Mashramani, Dr. Anthony expressed optimism that many new features will be adopted with the view of further helping to develop Guyana. He noted that while the usual song competitions are being planned “what we are going to be striving to do is to improve the quality of the competitions, and we have had partners that have worked with us over the years. We have had Carib and Banks; both have been there”.Additionally, he revealed that the Ministry has been investing heavily in this regard and seeking to grow the competitions. These efforts,Wholesale Jerseys 2018, he said, have seen the Ministry being able to partner with a company from Trinidad so that “the finalists of our competitions were able to go to Trinidad and take part in competitions there. They have had the exposure and were also able to compete for more financial prizes there”.Collaboration will also see Suriname seeking to participate in Guyana’s cultural song competitions this year, a move the Minister believes will help to enliven the events. It is anticipated that the finalists of the song competitions (Chutney and perhaps Calypso) will again be able to participate in similar competitions in Trinidad.Apart from the song competitions, Minister Anthony disclosed that his ministry has had a steady partnership with Republic Bank to improve the level of steel band competitions. The bank, he disclosed, has already pledged to continue to support the activity next year.Speaking to the area of drumming,China Jerseys, he noted with excitement that “all Guyanese when they get together and hear good drumming, they enjoy those vibes.” For this reason, Dr. Anthony said, the Ministry is seeking this year to introduce a new feature into the Mashramani celebration, which will entail drumming of both African and Indian groups.“What we’d like to do is to introduce a traditional drumming competition so that we can get winners and help sustain the drumming art form.”The family-oriented Mashramani activities, particularly the parade, are known to attract in excess of 100,000 people,Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping, and according to Dr Anthony “this is a wonderful opportunity for companies to come on board so that you can market your products to this Guyanese audience. Mash is not only about the spectators who are there, it is perhaps the largest festival where you will have so many creative people coming together like the musicians, singers and designers, among others, to make it the greatest festival of Guyanese creativity”.According to the Minister, for too long, people in the creative sector have been convinced that there is no support for them, but there is now an opportunity for companies to come out and change this.