Faced with a challenging business climate, owing in part to a small market size that constrains business competitiveness, the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) has worked to assist businesses in building out new sectors and reaching into new markets.
At a recent end of year event, Chief Executive Officer, Sonja Trotman, spoke of some the BIDC’s work in addressing Barbados’ challenging business climate, noting that 2019 trade missions had seen favorable responses for existing businesses.
Expounding on some of the BIDC’s efforts to build out a local animation sector, she noted: “The BIDC has been supporting the development of the animation sector as a new industry with the potential to generate foreign exchange and employ creative Barbadians.”
She indicated that the Corporation’s goal, over the years, had been to drive the development of a vibrant animation industry in Barbados.
The Corporation, therefore, financially supported small animators and provided some financing for the establishment of a state-of-the-art animation studio at BIMAP in order to provide institutionalized education and training in animation.
Ms. Trotman added: “We recognized the need to find a commercial entity that could accelerate the fulfillment of our goal to establish at least one commercial animation hub in Barbados, therefore the corporation’s decision to support Trident Animation Studios in their efforts to fill this void.”
The BIDC has provided support to Trident Animation Studios (TAS) through its Accelerate 20/20 programme. The company was provided with funding to secure hardware and software to outfit their studio. The BIDC also approved tenancy for the client in its Harbour Industrial Estate.
BIDC Business Development Officer (BDO), Marc Ifill, assigned to provide support for the animation sector, among others, summarized his perspective and approach: “The international animation industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry which has great potential for companies that are prepared to offer international quality services. Since 2012, the BIDC has been supporting the development of the animation sector as an industry with the potential to generate foreign exchange and employ creative youth, thereby making a significant impact in Barbados. We hope that with the establishment and success of TAS, more commercial entities will rise and ensure the longevity and sustainability of the industry.”
Trident Animation Studio (TAS) is a Barbadian-owned animation studio focused on providing 2D animation services to local, regional and international clients.
With an astute and focused executive management team and a business model that focuses on providing in-house training for staff to ensure its 2D animation services are world class, TAS will provide animation services, as previously identified, and develop and publish its own intellectual property.