More than 20 associations are members of the PSOJ, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Bankers Association, the Employers Federation, the Exporters’ Association, the Manufacturers’ Association, the Hotel and Tourist Association, the Small Business Associations and the Shipping Association.

Chambers of Commerce (Kingston and St Andrew)

There is a Chamber in each parish, which is part of a relatively loose federation of Chambers. There is however a movement aiming at harmonising their message on certain issues and on an ad-hoc basis.

Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA)

The association has 200 members belonging to a dozen non-traditional export sub-sectors. It assists them with export market research and information, training (seminars and workshops, concentrating on methods to increase production and exports), IT audits as well as technical assistance to a small number of SME.

Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA)

The JMA has 250 members, plus associate service members .The Association acts as a first screening for potential borrowers in an Ex-im Bank J$20 million revolving fund for retooling and account receivable financing (for JEA as well). Interest charged is 12 %, which is considered high, but no collateral is required.

Small Business Association

The association is funded by the memberships. Its major purpose is lobbying but it also provides business management advice and training to members and non-members. Marketing assistance is provided through participation in Trade Fairs and through a weekly flea market and a permanent Exhibition Centre.

Hotels and Tourism Association

88 small hotels (up to 50 rooms) and 24 large hotels are members of the Association. Whereas the Tourism Board markets Jamaica, the association assists individual businesses. It assists its members in their marketing efforts and provides them with a wide range of relevant information. The association also offers members extensive information on human resources development (IADB-funded), including a database.

Jamaica Employers’ Federation

The Federation was established in 1958 as a trade union and has today close to 150 corporate and individual members. The services it offers include information resources, training, research and general consultancy.

Association of Development Agencies

This NGO was established in 1985 with an objective of sustainable development. It has 13 members and receives support from Oxfam and Christian Aid among others. It works as a think tank for the issues it supports and provides information and training to rural and urban people. For instance, the association assists small farmers whose livelihood is threatened by imports

Supporting institutions

Jamaica Development Business Centre

The JDBC is a public agency providing a wide range of business support services to start-ups, MSE and medium-size firms. It has a full-time multi-professional team of more than 30 advisers and consultants

Jamaica Promotion Corporation (JAMPRO)

Jampro is a government statutory body under the Ministry of Development and its mandate is to promote and facilitate investment and export development in targeted sectors and services. Jampro offers a large, comprehensive range of services

Scientific Research Council

Through several divisions, this agency is involved in product research, transfer, adaptation or application of technologies, in policy advice and in diffusing science and technology information. It offers comprehensive services and assistance with an aim to trigger new business development.

Technology Innovation Centre

The Centre was recently established as a business incubator at the University of Technology, a location that offers the distinct advantage of its proximity to the highest concentration of educated students in the Caribbean. It provides support to start-up technology businesses but also a range of advisory and consultancy services, as well as training, to existing small and micro enterprises