Samuda Promises Support for Small Businesses with Potential

Minister of Industry and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, has said that small businesses, with the potential to enhance the productive sector, will be given financial assistance to operate in a sustainable manner.
“I believe that, as Government, we must now move to deal with a new approach to financing small businesses in Jamaica,” Mr. Samuda said.
He was addressing the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Banquet and Awards Ceremony, at Hotel Commingle, Savanna-la-mar on Saturday (December 5).
The Minister said that he was confident that the skills of the country resided in the humble communities across the length and breadth of Jamaica, and all they needed was assistance and the opportunity.

Minister of Industry and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, (right) conversing with President of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Eric Clarke, and President of the Westmoreland branch of Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI), Marilyn Porter (left), at the Chamber’s Banquet and Awards Ceremony at Hotel Commingle, Savanna-la-mar, on Saturday (December 5).

“It is therefore left up to you the leaders to identify players who just need an opportunity, need access to funds, need access to management, training of workers, designs and market access, all the things that can make them successful,” Mr. Samuda said.
“I have instructed that those factory spaces that are operating as warehouses, using the factories that were built to create jobs through manufacturing, must be reviewed and be reviewed immediately with a view to putting back manufacturing activities in there,” he added.
The Minister said that where there are small manufacturers who don’t have the kind of space that would give them the opportunity to practice their skills, in a proper and appropriate environment, the Ministry will work with them.
“We would sub-divide the factory space and we would assist them, where there is cash flow difficulties, with financing, and we would go one step further, we would also give them a little ‘kick-start’ with the rent, so that they get a chance to build up a kind of inventory of capital to see them through”, he explained.

Former Mayor of Savanna-la-mar, Delford Morgan and wife Viannie, (right and centre), of Cabletron Network Systems Limited display the plaque they were awarded by the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise large business category at the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Banquet and Awards Ceremony at Hotel Commingle, SavannalLa-mar on Saturday (December 5). At left is businesswoman, Barbara Stewart, of Savanna-la-mar.

He said that the role of his Ministry is to facilitate the development of business, not to be the owners of the factories that collect rent, and to create jobs through the facilities it offers.
“Every effort will be made to ensure that production is back into our lives as a country, in order to reduce dependency on imported goods and services,” he pledged.
The Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce and Industry awarded four businesses/individuals with accolades and plaques, for making outstanding contributions to the economy of western Jamaica.
Awardees were; Large Business, Beresford Sandkar of Sandkar Farms and Equipment Company Limited; Micro Small and medium enterprise, Delford and Viannie Morgan of Cabletron Network Systems Limited; Outstanding Partnership, Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI); and Nigel Myrie of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce and Industry.