The Caribbean Music Industry Networking Organization (CMINO) saw its genesis at the recently concluded CARIFORUM-EU EPA Workshop in Martinique; the Organanization will seek to recognise the shared challenges and opportunities facing each territory in the region and puts forth tangible initiatives to improve the economic viability of the music industry. 

 
Representatives from 10 Caribbean islands met in round table sessions to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the music industry in each territory.  The results were documented in a skeleton paper likely to form the basis of a strategic plan to develop and promote music export within the region and across the world.  Nations represented included: Antigua, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.  The French Territories (Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guyana) and Trinidad will also be represented as discussions continue.
 
The regional trade agency, Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) has placed its full support behind the Network which is still in its formative stages and has committed to work with the group to facilitate the vision to drive the ownership and export potential of Caribbean music globally.  "The vision we have for regional integration and collaboration is in fact the reality that we are already living," stated Tonika Sealy, CEDA Senior Services Advisor.

     The group, like the region is divided by water, but united by culture and will employ today's most advanced technology to facilitate communication and convene virtual meetings.  Even as the group takes the necessary steps to solidify its foundation, CMINO is working with recognised academics, practitioners, buyers and a wide range of industry players to identify shared issues to table on the agenda.  Preliminary discussions  touched on the issues of royalty collections, intellectual property, training and education of industry practitioners within the region and lobbying heads of CARICOM/CARIFORUM to support music industry initiatives.  Initial informal meetings were held with Dr. Keith Nurse and other academics to discuss information sharing and requisite expertise for joint projects across the Caribbean as well as mutual development.
 
With the issue of royalty collections being so high on the agenda, initial discussions were held with the Caribbean Copyright Link (CCL) about executing royalty collection particularly in the EU.
 
The interim members that participated in the discussions were: Phil Phillips (Co-Chairman), Howard McIntosh (Co-Chairman), Carlette DeLeon (Communications Officer), J. Omari Harrigan (Antigua), Lyndia Rose (Jamaica), Rychard Skeete (Barbados), Angenella Young (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), George Thomas (Barbados), Livingston Nelson (Grenada), Pascale Jaunay (Haiti), Modou Diagne (Barbados), McCarthy Marie (Dominica), Steve Etienne (st. Lucia), Ivan Duran (Belize), John Francis (St. Kitts and Nevis) and Denis Ward (Guyana).  Interested parties can join the movement by making contact with Caribbean Export.
 
The first major project for CMINO is to put together a delegation to represent the industry at WOMEX in October.  "CMINO will draw on the expertise from across the region to ensure that Caribbean music is well represented at the event," explained Howard McIntosh.