"It is my view that this country could survive on the steel band industry alone if we continue to make strategic steps towards the development of the industry."

[Claude Gonzales]

The heading above is a quote from the former MINISTER OF CULTURE (Lincoln Douglas).

How many forumites hold this view?

http://www.the-report.com/reports/trinidad-tobago/a-caribbean-leader/interview-with-dr-lincoln-douglas-minister-of-arts-and-multiculturalism/

[Claude Gonzales]

The point is that when you read the TWO INTERVIEWS  from the current and previous MINISTERS OF CULTURE (two highly educated and intelligent people) and you see the absurdity by one and the egregious psychological omissions by the other and then you add the KIETH DIAZ bankruptcy of PAN TRINBAGO to that "LEADER SHIP" then it is INSANE for some EXPATS to sit THOUSANDS OF MILES away and think that they could just TYPE A FEW lines into a forum and ABRACADABRA -- PAN come back on the road for Carnival and every PAN MAN learn to read and write music and every PAN YARD becomes a PROFIT CENTER and Tourists start flocking to Trinidad to hear this MAGICAL INSTRUMENT and STEELBANDS start touring the world and performing in MAJOR CONCERT HALLS and RECORD SALES and AIR PLAY become common place on every continent and every player from 2016 receives their $1000 performance fee and  PAN starts bringing in MORE MONEY THAN OIL as President Kieth Diaz promised in his first interview after being elected COMMANDER IN CHIEF of PAN TRINBAGO.

[Gerard Clarke]

Imamu Baraka.....AND COUNTING!!

[Imamu Baraka]

Trinidad is falling way behind where Pan is concerned. There are comparable tuners and players outside of T&T presently..

[Gerard Clarke]

We won't survive on the steelband industry.Many countries in particular the USA have and are making strides with the making and tuning of pans and are producing very good players many of whom come here for panorama. In time to come they won't need us. Trinidad will simply be known as the place where it all started. I would describe that statement as absurd.

[Mercer Ramdoo]

This country? When? I guess when the dollars start to make sense, there's a ............never mind.

[masai hall]

That is an absurd statement.

[evan lobo]

 not with the current recurrent expenditure and falling revenues

 it could make a significant contribution

 however that may mean no $$ from gortt