MSMES Urged to Gear Up for National Reconstruction Boom

Operators in the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector are being urged to prepare now to meet the upcoming demand for goods and services fueled by the national reconstruction programme.

State Minister for Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Delano Seiveright, in making the call, noted that the rebuilding programme will generate substantial demand for construction, engineering, manufacturing, building materials, renewable energy, water systems, telecommunications, digital technologies, agricultural solutions and skills development.

He said that local businesses and service providers must ensure that they are prepared to capitalise on the opportunities.

“In crises come opportunity because rebuilding causes us to examine weaknesses, invest differently and to find new solutions… . This is how we turn recovery into transformation,” he noted.

“Somebody is going to have to provide those goods and services so why shouldn’t it be Jamaican businesses? Get ready; don’t wait until the tender appears,” he appealed.

To successfully tap into this boom, Mr. Seiveright said entities must ensure that they are formalised and compliant, with tax registrations, business licences, and sector-specific certifications up to date.

“Get your accounts in order. You must understand procurement, be tax compliant, strengthen management and build partnerships, invest in technology and train our people to be ready before opportunity arrives,” he further advised.

Mr. Seiveright was speaking at the recent official launch of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF) and the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Jamaica (YEA) Business Development Centre, at the JEF’s Ruthven Road location in Kingston.

The facility will provide MSME operators with affordable access to facilities, expertise, networks and support to start, strengthen and grow their businesses.

It will offer workspace and training facilities, mentorship, coaching, business clinics and capacity-building programmes, along with referrals for financing, procurement, market access and other business services.