Kingston, Jamaica – Access to financing, securing markets and the need to embrace emerging technologies will come under sharp focus as the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) intensifies efforts to address longstanding barriers to the growth and competitiveness of Jamaica’s Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).
The Corporation will tackle these issues through three targeted interventions during Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), November 16 to 22, 2026, with an emphasis on helping entrepreneurs improve operational efficiency, access capital and secure new business opportunities.
The interventions come at a critical time for the MSME sector, as entrepreneurs navigate existing structural challenges while confronting the economic disruption caused by Hurricane Melissa.
Against this background, JBDC is positioning this year’s observance as more than a celebration of entrepreneurship, placing emphasis on the practical support businesses need to recover, remain competitive and pursue sustainable growth.
The Corporation has adopted the global GEW theme, ‘Entrepreneurs Thrive Here’, with a local adaptation, ‘Entrepreneurs Thrive H.E.R.E.’, meaning Helping Entrepreneurs Recover and Evolve.
Chief Executive Officer of the JBDC, Daenia Ashpole says these events are designed to inspire entrepreneurs and invoke a national movement towards an environment in which they thrive.
“Entrepreneurs rarely take a break to celebrate their achievements and reflect on how they have come. Global Entrepreneurship Week creates space for us to celebrate ourselves every November. The JBDC has played a significant role in Jamaica’s celebration of GEW over the years. This year, we once again, invite Micro, Small, & Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to join us for one week of celebration exploring three critical areas: Artificial Intelligence, Business to Business sales and relationships, as well as Financing.” she said.
AI TO DRIVE BUSINESS EFFICIENCY
With artificial intelligence rapidly changing how businesses operate and compete, JBDC will open the week’s activities on Monday, November 16, with ‘Grow Your Biz… The AI Experience’.
The one-day conference, workshop and technology showcase will expose entrepreneurs to practical applications of AI, including automating routine tasks, improving business processes and increasing operational efficiency.
The intervention is designed to move the conversation beyond awareness of artificial intelligence to how MSMEs can use the technology to address everyday business challenges.
The event will be held at the JBDC Incubator & Resource Centre from 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m., with a ministerial address from State Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Honourable Delano Seiveright.
The Conference will be anchored by experts Dr. Sean T. Miller, Computer Scientist & Lecturer
University of the West Indies, Mona and Christopher Derrell, AI & Digital Transformation Strategist.
UNLOCKING LOCAL MARKET OPPORTUNITIES
Recognising that business growth depends not only on productive capacity but also on the ability to secure customers and commercial contracts, JBDC will turn its attention to market access on Wednesday, November 18.
Through ‘Opportunity Evening’, the Corporation will bring business-to-business transactions, local value chain participation and the development of profitable commercial relationships into focus.
The intervention is particularly relevant as Jamaica seeks to strengthen domestic trade and create greater opportunities for local enterprises to participate in established supply chains.
The discussion will also support the Corporation’s ‘B2B – Buy to Build’ Christmas campaign, being executed through its market access arm, Things Jamaican.
The campaign encourages Corporate Jamaica to redirect a greater share of its corporate gifting expenditure towards authentic Jamaican products, creating opportunities for local manufacturers, artisans and other entrepreneurs to benefit from institutional purchasing.
The panel of experts include representatives from the JBDC, Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), among others.
The event is scheduled for the Terra Nova Hotel from 5:30p.m. to 7:30p.m.
THE FINANCING CHALLENGE
Access to appropriate financing will form the third major area of intervention as JBDC stages ‘Financing Fridays’ on November 20.
For many MSMEs, the challenge extends beyond identifying sources of funding to understanding financing requirements, determining suitable financial products and accessing the capital necessary to sustain or expand operations.
The session will connect entrepreneurs directly with financial institutions while providing expert guidance on financing opportunities.
The engagement will be held at the JBDC Incubator & Resource Centre from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The main presentation for Financing Fridays will be delivered by Antoinette Hamilton, Managing Director, ProHamCo Business Consulting Ltd. exploring the topic, ‘Financial Literacy for MSMEs: Preparing Your Business to Access Financing’.
GEW 2026 observance provides an opportunity to sharpen attention on three interconnected issues that influence whether Jamaican businesses can move into sustained growth. Interested entrepreneurs are being encouraged to register for these events at https://gew.jbdc.net/.
The JBDC is the premiere business development agency under the Ministry of Industry, Investment, and Commerce (MIIC).
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