Operators of ASMEs Receive Business Development Training

Operators of 104 artisanal, small and medium enterprises (ASMEs), including women-owned or -managed businesses, have received critical business development training.

This was done under Phase Two of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS)-European Union (EU) Development Minerals Programme, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Mines and Geology Division (MGD).

The combined sum of €120,000 in small grants was disbursed in phase two to assist 23 ASMEs and four public-sector agencies to improve their business operations.

The ASMEs that work with industrial minerals – ceramic/clay; gypsum; limestone, dimension stone (marble) and semi-precious stones – also received assistance in improving business process efficiency, and other support.

The programme has assisted in fulfilling the Government of Jamaica’s mandate to intensify activities around Jamaica’s industrial mineral resources and its significant potential for value-added production.

Jamaica’s main mineral resources include bauxite, limestone, shale, clay, gypsum, hard volcanic rocks, pozzolan, as well as non-metallic minerals (copper, gold and silver).

Head of Delegation, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Jamaica, Her Excellency Marianne van Steen, in her address at the Programme’s closing ceremony, in late 2023, said the initiative “pushed the envelope on the digital development in geological mining information”.

“This is a wonderful project. This is an exciting time for our minerals sector; it is an exciting time for our mineral craft operators because their items with the brand Jamaica are in demand all over the world,” she said.

Commissioner of Mines, Mines and Geology Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Roy Nicholson, commended the programme stakeholders for their role in executing the initiative which, he said, will assist in the development of the sector.

“Thank you for your unwavering support, guidance and the framework provided which has been the cornerstone for many improvements. The journey, though challenging at times, has been incredibly rewarding and the strides that we have made in this policy formation [and] capacity-building has fostered a conducive environment for the sustainability in managing our industry,” he said.

Mr. Nicholson said the legacy of the programme provides a robust foundation for future endeavours in the realms of the development of minerals management.

“The lessons learned and best practices adopted will undoubtedly continue to guide our steps as we venture forward,” he added.

The Commissioner said the programme, which was delivered in two phases, has provided invaluable support to stakeholders as well as to the development of the industry locally.

“Their experiences, the knowledge exchanged, and the bonds formed have significantly enriched our collective understanding and approaches towards the development of our mineral policy. The Mining and Quarrying Association of Jamaica envisions a greater recognition by society of the essential benefits of mining,” he said.

Managing Director of the Kingston-based Trench Town Ceramic and Art Centre, artist Garfield Williams, who participated in phase two of the programme, told JIS News that the initiative provided invaluable assistance to the operations of the entity.

“I thank the UNDP and the Government of Jamaica for their assistance… especially during COVID. COVID was really a rough time – nothing was going out, so the money (from the grant) was utilised to keep workshops and buy materials. It helped tremendously in what we are trying to do here in creating workshops, helping youth to learn more about craft and keeping the artwork centre going. It helped us to continue our youth workshops,” he explained.

In addition to materials, the funds were also used to pay the stipends for temporary workers connected with the Art Centre from within the community.

The Art Centre specialises in producing souvenir and novelty items ranging from candlestick, and incense holders, to sculptures and moulds.

Significantly, the Art Centre also operates workshops that target youth aged eight to 20 for training in the arts.

The Art Centre also accommodates senior citizens in the community with an interest in art.

The OACPS programme was undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, and the Mines and Geology Division.

In phase one, participants were trained in mining and quarrying, health, safety, environment, labour standards, gender-based issues, and conflict management.

For phase two, participants were trained in geodata database management and navigation, reserve estimation for quarry operators and bankers, and business procurement strategies in public and private-sector projects, conflict management under the title ‘Mining Matters’, and in the use of the mobile application ‘Quarry Cost of Production’ (Quarry COP), which was also developed under the programme.

In addition, the sum of €30,000 was awarded to several public-sector agencies to facilitate online education courses at the University of Technology (UTech) Jamaica (degree courses), the Mining and Geology Division – for promotion of online certificate courses at Excelsior Education Centre (EXED), and the then Ministry of Transport and Mining for digital projects, and website marketing development for artisans.