Mandeville, Manchester – Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Manchester and surrounding parishes are set to benefit from the newly located Business Centre managed by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation [JBDC]. Positioned as a ‘Digital Transitioning Centre’, the facility was opened on Wednesday March 12, 2025 at Shop 24, Stone Surreal Plaza, 39 Ward Avenue, Mandeville. The centre is a key initiative under the €9.5 million European Union (EU)-funded Digital Jamaica Project, aimed at empowering rural entrepreneurs to compete in the digital economy.
The project is part of a broader initiative by the Government of Jamaica to bridge the digital divide, foster innovation, and drive sustainable economic growth across Jamaica. By 2026, six such centres will be operational nationwide, ensuring that rural entrepreneurs have access to the same high-quality digital transitioning services as their urban counterparts. “This centre is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that no entrepreneur is left behind. By providing access to digital tools and training, we are creating a more equitable and competitive business environment for all Jamaicans,” emphasised Marlene Lamonth, Programme Manager of the Delegation of the European Union to Jamaica, Belize, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and The Cayman Islands.
The project stipulates that by 2026 One (1) Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) and five (5) Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) Digital Transitioning Centres will be fully operational, offering comprehensive support to MSMEs across Jamaica. The JBDC has strategically selected six locations for these centres based on traffic volume, geographic coverage including rural parishes and the ability to ensure successful execution of activities.
Harold Davis, Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the JBDC, described the centre as a gateway to new opportunities. “Digital inclusion is the great equaliser. It breaks down barriers, expands market reach, and transforms small businesses into global enterprises. This centre ensures that entrepreneurs in rural Jamaica receive the same quality of services as those in urban areas,” he said.
The Digital Jamaica Project contributes to Jamaica’s national digital plan, which includes addressing the digital divide with rural areas, facilitating access to education and also technological innovation for the private sector. The Project will see 2700 MSMEs being trained in digital technologies, with 40 per cent of the beneficiaries coming from rural Jamaica.
Senator the Honourable Aubyn Hill, Jamaica’s Minister of Industry, Investment, and Commerce (MIIC), highlighted the importance of the Centre to rural entrepreneurs. “Whether you’re farming turmeric, yam, or goats, this transitioning centre is here to connect you directly to markets, locally and globally. Digital tools allow a small business in Jamaica to have the same reach as a large corporation in Europe,” he said.
Minister Hill also stressed the importance of digital adoption for economic growth. “We can’t get rich selling to less than 3 million people. We must tap into overseas markets, and digital tools are the key to making that happen. This centre is a vital step in ensuring that our MSMEs are equipped to compete on the global stage.”
The JBDC, an agency of MIIC, is the premier business development agency, with the mandate to facilitate the sustainable creation and development of MSMEs in Jamaica ‘From Concept to Market’. As the implementing body of the Digital Jamaica Project for MSMEs, JBDC is positioning the entrepreneurs in the sector to thrive in the digital economy.
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