Entrepreneurs Responding Well to Business Information Centres

Entrepreneurs are taking advantage of the services being provided through the business information centres, which are being set up by the Jamaica Business Development Centre (JBDC) across the island.”People consider it to be a solution to their problems especially where it regards information on business development,” said Althea Bennett, Project Manager at JBDC.
“They are appreciative of having that kind of information basically at hand’s length” she added.The centres, which are being established as part of government’s efforts to assist the micro and small business sector, provide information on all areas of business, including business start-up and development, paying taxes and employing staff.
The core services offered include business development training; customized training packages consisting of information on writing business plans and loan proposals; and “back office support,” which includes lessons on writing, typing and using fax and internet services.
Already, facilities have been set up in Montego Bay, Lucea and Portmore, while centres in Westmoreland and St. Ann are in the early stages of development.The Jamaica Employers Federation (JEF) is working with the JBDC in the process and has set up a business hub at its head office at 2a Ruthven Road, Kingston.
Miss Bennett pointed out that each business information centre will offer additional services apart from the core ones. They may also charge a minimal cost for their services in order to sustain their operations, she added.