For 2009, the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce focussed primarily on developing and strengthening initiatives to boost the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector, entrepreneurship, investment and commerce. In this regard, the Ministry signed several agreements, launched and extended a number of initiatives and had major meetings and discussions to facilitate local investment.

JBDC & JAMBIC Outlets

A partnership involving the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA), the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) and Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI), the project aims to positively impact national export performance and competitiveness, while providing standardised business information. To further boost business development and entrepreneurship, the JBDC opened Jamaica Business Information Centres (JAMBIC) at the Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) in Kingston; Northern Caribbean University in Manchester; Royal Mall, Port Antonio, Portland and St. Ann Chamber of Commerce, Ocho Rios, St. Ann.

The JAMBICs offer a core suite of services, including general business information, business development training, customised training packages, business planning services, and back office support to MSMEs. There are presently 11 JAMBICs in operation throughout the island, with the addition of these four since the start of the year. The Ministry facilitated several workshops and seminars throughout the year, aimed at strengthening business development and the growth of the micro, small and medium enterprise sector. The JBDC held business development seminars, clinic and expos in Kingston and St. James, geared at exposing participants to various means of growing and strengthening their businesses and surviving the economic crisis.

Opportunities Jamaica 2009

In March, business interests within the local tourism and hospitality sector were invited to participate in the ‘Opportunities Jamaica 2009’ Expo, staged by the JTI, at the Half Moon Conference Centre, in Montego Bay, St. James. ‘Opportunities Jamaica 2009’ was a business linkage event, with focus on networking, business matchmaking and product display opportunities, and targeted a range of tourism players, including purchasing managers, executive chefs, operation managers of hotels, restaurants, tourist gift shops and spa facilities, which are located in the tourist resort areas.

In April, the JTI, in association with the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) and the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO), staged a workshop on Business Formalisation Guidelines, aimed at providing participants with the opportunity to learn about the processes involved in registering a company or business, and their attendant intellectual properties.

During the year, the Ministry was engaged in several overseas discussions and activities to drive local investment.

In February, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda was part of a delegation that represented Jamaica at the inaugural Jamaica/UK Investment Forum in Westminster, London, England. The forum involved discussions on ‘Investing in Jamaica’ and ‘Jamaica’s Improving Economy’ and included presentations from successful investors in Jamaica, such as GraceKennedy, Digicel and Blue Mountain Coffee (Europe) Limited. By May, Minister Samuda went on a working trip to Canada to observe the Canadians’ business development experience and find strategies to help Jamaica become more competitive.

Accompanying the Minister were Jamaica’s High Commissioner to Canada, Ms. Evadne Coye; Manager of Investment Support Services at the (JTI), Mr. Robert Kerr; Chief Executive Officer of the JBDC, Ms. Valerie Veira; Director of Commerce in the Ministry, Ms. Andrene Collings; and Modernisation Projects Co-ordinator in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Ms. Lorna Perkins.

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