With the continued support of Invest Barbados and the Barbados Industrial Development Corporation's (BIDC) through the Technical Assistance Fund, cultural entrepreneurs in Barbados are poised to truly recognize their export potential and expand their networking capabilities. Invest Barbados, through its Indigenous Service's Export Division recently selected a high level delegation from the local music industry to promote the island's musical talent at the MIDEM international music expo in France.

MIDEM, the world's largest and most prestigious entertainment expo takes place from January 18 to January 21, at the Palais des Festivals, Cannes and attracts close to 9,000 of the world's largest music recording labels, agents, publishers, promoters, online and traditional distributors, live music professionals and artiste managers.

The delegation which was led by Invest Barbados' Manager, and Senior Business Development Advisor, Jannette Babb, and Modou Diagne, respectively included Chief Executive Officer of COSCAP, Erica Smith; Managing Director of CRS Music and Media, Derek Wilkie; Attorney-at-Law representing alternative music band Kite, Nick Nanton; Chief Executive Officer, and Managing Director of Pyramid Entertainment Management Inc, Santia Bradshaw and Ruel Ward, respectively; Chief Executive Officer of Got Rhythm Inc, Glenn White; Chief Executive Officer of Good Vybz Inc., Kirk Browne; and Chief Executive Officer of Hit Island Music, Kristen Broome. Courtney Phillips of E-Vision Concepts assisted Invest Barbados in the co-ordination of the event.

One of the highlights of the four-day expo was a networking reception at the prestigious Carlton Hotel on January 18, where tax expert with Ernst and Young, Ben Arundell, who is also the Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Association, spoke to over 70 invited guests on the Advantages of Doing Business in Barbados.

Quite apart from the networking opportunities provided at MIDEM, the delegation attended several workshop forums where high level music executives discussed changes within the global music market. With the wealth of knowledge gained from the event, it is hoped that the participants will form strategic alliances to enhance their competitiveness and share the wealth of information with other industry players.

Invest Barbados is responsible for promoting the international competitiveness of Barbadian services in many industries, including music, film, fashion, health and wellness, education and management consulting.