As the Government’s business development agency that assists with the creation and growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) offers technical and other services that move a client from one concept all the way up to the market. “So, persons who have an idea to start a business come to us, persons who...

Farmers across the island who have been complaining about being unable to reach markets due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) now have a global platform called OEXONE that they can join to upload and list their crop outputs, take orders and receive payments directly to their bank accounts from buyers around the world. The OEXONE platform facilitates diaspora trade, commerce and...

The Government is making significant investments in the agricultural sector to safeguard the country’s food security and accelerate the sector’s recovery from the economic fallout induced by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. With the temporary closure of the tourism sector in March, an unprecedented situation was created in which significant quantities of fresh and perishable local agricultural produce, originally destined for...

The operations of approximately 20 State entities that facilitate imports and exports are earmarked for digitisation under the Jamaica Single Window for Trade (JSWIFT) initiative, which is being implemented by the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA). Jamaica. JSWIFT is a single electronic platform providing fully automated access to all cross-border regulatory agencies, enabling traders and their representatives to transact all businesses...

The Government, through the Port Community System (PCS), is facilitating ease of doing business at the nation’s ports, which is critical at this time when the global community is facing a pandemic. The PCS is a single, neutral and open electronic platform, which enables the secure exchange of information between public and private stakeholders in the port community. It acts...

At a time when many entrepreneurs are feeling the financial pinch from the fallout of business due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, certified make-up artist, Teeah Anderson, has decided to re-strategise her business model in order to continue to earn a living. She is now offering make-up classes online reaching a wide cross section of clientele. “I call it pivoting....

Young entrepreneur, Dana Baugh, is looking to establish herself as a major force in the local and regional creative landscape. Through her BAUGHaus Design Studio, based in western Jamaica, she offers a range of beautiful, handmade ceramic pieces for the entire home. The pieces, inspired by the Caribbean, are intricately-designed, with exquisite details to satisfy the most discerning customer. Miss...

The range of business services utilised by micro and small enterprises (MSEs), which is financed under the Development Bank of Jamaica’s (DBJ) Voucher for Technical Assistance Programme (VTAP), is being widened to incorporate digital transformation. According to General Manager for Strategic Services at the DBJ, Christopher Brown, this is to enable eligible MSEs to acquire the requisite web-based tools and...

Several business leaders are underscoring the importance of the Government’s measured approach to facilitating a gradual resumption of economic activities that have been curtailed since March, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. They argue that this is imperative to achieve a balance between the phased full reopening of the economy and preventing the possibility of spurring further potential spikes in...