120 MSME Operators to Benefit from Training

Some 120 operators of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) are to benefit from training workshops organised by the Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, to strengthen their capacity.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda, informed that through the workshops, the MSMEs will be assisted to design and execute business models.

“This initiative will help to improve the ability of MSMEs to access financing. One of the features of this programme is that at least 10 per cent of the participants are to be listed on the Junior Stock Exchange,” he said.

He was addressing the official opening of training facilities to support small business development at the Restoring Entrepreneurial Success Through Education and Technology (RESET) Caribbean Foundation offices, on Brompton Road in Kingston on May 26.

Citing other support for the small business sector, Minister Samuda informed that some 300 enterprises will compete for the prize of ‘Best entrepreneurial activity contributing to economic growth and employment’.

Mr. Samuda said the contestants will not only benefit from capacity building, but also an opportunity for mentorship and funding through matching with investors.

He also mentioned the implementation of the Small Business Development Centre Model (SBDC) Phase II project.

“This will involve a strong network of small business development centres across the island providing better quality service delivery to a wider range of Jamaicans,” Mr. Samuda said.

The RESET training facilities were made possible through the donation of a grant for US$103,000 under the Government of Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project.

The training provided will empower small businesses with the appropriate skills and technology that will enable them to access the resources available locally, regionally or internationally to strengthen their human resource capacity and improve internal business processes.