Business Information Centre Opens in Mandeville

The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) opened its ninth Jamaica Business Information Centre (JAMBIC) in Mandeville Manchester on Thursday (May 14), which will provide a range of technical support for small entrepreneurs.
The facility, located at the Morris Entrepreneurial Centre, is in collaboration with the Northern Caribbean University (NCU). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the JBDC and NCU for the operation of the facility, which will offer general business information, business development and planning services, customised training packages, and back office support to micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Minister of State in Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce Hon. Michael Stern in his remarks at the opening, said that the JBDC continues to strengthen and expand its network of business information points across the island.
“This is showing you that we are reaching a lot (of small business operators) and they are being used and they are building capacity,” he stated, noting that the personnel are highly trained, with expertise in back office operations.
MSMEs also receive assistance through the network of Export Centre Business Information Points (ECBIP) “which cater more to export and production and processing, but they are trying to make sure that people get all the information and have access to all that you need for your business,” Mr. Stern explained.
The ECBIP project is being implemented under the five-year Private Sector Development Programme (PSDP), which is being funded by the Government of Jamaica and the European Union (EU), and involves collaboration among Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI), JBDC, and the Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA). It aims to positively impact national export performance and competitiveness, and improve the access of Jamaican products to international markets.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of JBDC, Harold Davis, informed that the JAMBIC centres are being equipped to facilitate disabled persons, including providing wheelchair access and technology products for the visually impaired. “We are in dialogue to launch products for the hearing impaired,” he informed.
Media personality Patrick Lafayette, who is visually impaired, demonstrated the use of the technology, which is an interactive voice command system that allows the user to access computer software applications inclusive of the internet, e-mail and entertainment products.
JAMBIC centres are located in Hanover, Westmoreland, St. James, Portmore St. Catherine and Kingston and St. Andrew, which has four centres. Other facilities are slated to open soon in Port Antonio, Portland and St. Ann’s Bay, St. Ann.
There are a combined 17 JAMBIC and ECBIP centres operating across the island.