Seiveright urges youth to chase creative opportunities after meeting with entertainment entrepreneur Romeich Major

STATE minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment, and Commerce (MIIC) Delano Seiveright has urged Jamaicans, particularly young people, to more deliberately pursue opportunities in the creative industries, arguing that entertainment, music, events and related cultural businesses represent one of the country’s most natural competitive advantages locally and internationally.

Seiveright was speaking after meeting with entertainment entrepreneur Romeich Major, whose work in music management, events, and brand development has helped to shape aspects of Jamaica’s modern entertainment industry.

He said Major’s trajectory illustrates how creative talent, when combined with business structure and persistence, can evolve into a platform for job creation, export earnings, and international reach.

“Jamaica has a special niche in the creative space that we have not fully maximised,” a news release quotes Seiveright. “Romeich’s journey shows that this is not just about culture or popularity, it is about building real enterprises, creating employment, and exporting Jamaican creativity to the world. We need to replicate that kind of success many times over.”

Seiveright pointed to data highlighting the economic significance of the creative economy, noting that, according to research by the Creative and Cultural Industries Alliance of Jamaica, the sector contributes an estimated 5.1 per cent of national gross domestic product, valued at approximately $107 billion annually.

These figures, Seiveright said, point to significant opportunity. However, he warned that many young creatives continue to struggle with business structure, access to financing, export readiness, and market linkages. As such, he argued that creative talent must be supported by stronger business planning, compliance, professionalisation, and strategic partnerships if Jamaica is to fully monetise its cultural capital.

Seiveright noted that the Ministry of Industry, Investment, and Commerce has been sharpening its focus on enterprise development, export growth, and investment facilitation across key sectors, including the creative industries, as part of a wider effort to help Jamaican entrepreneurs scale beyond the local market.

He said agencies such as Jampro continue to play an important role in supporting creative businesses with export readiness, market access, and international promotion, while other arms of the ministry provide business development support and pathways to financing for micro, small and medium enterprises.

The state minister said the example set by Major should serve as a practical reminder that Jamaican creativity, when matched with structure, discipline, and access to the right support, can compete on the global stage. He added that the country has no shortage of talent, but more young people need to approach their ideas as scalable businesses, using the tools available through Government and private sector partners to turn local success into sustainable international reach.

Romeich Major is one of Jamaica’s most dynamic entertainment entrepreneurs — a talent builder, brand creator, and CEO of Romeich Entertainment. Renowned for spotting and shaping stars like Shenseea, he has left his mark across music production, marketing, events, and fashion through Romeich Wear. At the core of his success is a strong belief in teamwork and uplifting his community.

Source: Jamaica Observer