Gov’t Committed to Economic Self-Sufficiency – Senator Aubyn Hill

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, says the Government is committed to cementing the country’s political independence with strong and robust economic self-sufficiency.

He said Jamaica must rely on its own resources rather than seeking financial assistance from external entities.

The Minister was addressing the MSME Business Roadshow at the St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) in Santa Cruz on Thursday (March 6).

He pointed to several instances where the country demonstrated financial independence such as the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and recovery efforts following the passage of Hurricane Beryl in July 2024.

In each case, he noted, the Government did not seek loans from international partners but, instead, utilised its own financial resources to navigate and overcome these challenges and setbacks.

“I invite all entrepreneurs, business owners, all hard-working Jamaicans, to join in this noble national effort,” he said.

“The Canadians are not going to do it for us, the British are not going to do it for us, the Chinese can’t do it, the Trinidadians won’t do it, the people from Dominican Republic won’t do it. It’s we Jamaicans who must build this robust economic independence to support our political independence,” he added.

Lauding the crucial role played by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), he said they are the backbone of Jamaica’s economy and are the key to achieving true economic independence.

These entities, he said, employ 70 per cent of the country’s workforce and contribute significantly to the national tax revenue.

The MSME Business Roadshow featured panel discussions with stakeholders, including the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Hi-Pro, Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), and the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ).

It covered topics such as social media monetisation, digital technology utilisation, access to affordable financing, and strategies for agricultural business innovation and growth.

The roadshow also celebrated the achievements of MSMEs, with $3 million in giveaways, prizes and surprises.