MSMEs Urged to Register for Markets Innovation and Capital Forum

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are being encouraged to register for the upcoming Forum on Markets Innovation and Capital (FOROMIC), which will be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James from October 24-26.

FOROMIC is a space for business and financial innovations and provides a platform for microfinance businesses to showcase their products and services.

Senior Specialist, Partnership and Communication, at the Inter-American Development Bank, Marco Macias, speaking at a JIS Think Tank on September 28, said FOROMIC is one of the largest conferences of its kind in the region where MSMEs can benefit from a wealth of knowledge and opportunities for investment and networking.

“You will have persons from other countries looking at how to invest here and to see what products are being created in Jamaica. Jamaicans and persons from the wider region will profit from being a part of this conference and building new networks,” he noted.

The cost for registration is US$600 for October 25-26, while the first day of the conference, dubbed Jamaica Day, will be free of cost. Registration can be done through FOROMIC’s online portal www.fomin-events.com/foromic/2016.

Mr. Macias informed that the IDB has been making contact with microbusiness associations to offer special packages to their members.

“We don’t want money to be a barrier for being a part of this conference and that is why we are doing a bigger effort as a bank, and the Government as well, to subsidise this conference for the people (because) we want them to be there,” he noted.

He said the persons who are unable to attend can view the activities, as the event will be live-streamed.

Meanwhile, Senior Specialist Multi-lateral Investment Fund (MIF) of the Inter-American Development Bank, Wayne Beecher, has appealed to MSMEs to consider FOROMIC as an investment in their businesses and in Jamaica.

“I think it is important as a developing country that we expose ourselves to the latest knowledge, innovations and trends that can redound in economic development and make the best use of it. The only way you can do that is to make an investment in yourself and to do that you need to be at the conference,” he stressed.

MIF, a member of the IDB Group is the leading provider of technical assistance for the private sector in Latin America and the Caribbean.

FOROMIC will be held for the first time in Jamaica and for the second occasion in the Caribbean. Over 1, 500 attendees are expected from over 41 countries.

The conference will be hosted by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, with support from Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw.