The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) recently hosted a delegation from the Bahamas. The delegation constituted members of the Access Accelerator, Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) along with members of the Bahamian Trade Commission, Senate and Chamber of Commerce. The visit was held at both the JBDC Camp Road location and Incubator & Resource Centre on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
Ms. Samantha Rolle, SBDC Executive Director said “Our connection with the JBDC, in the form of this technical visit is extremely invaluable to us. We say that because we realise that JBDC for the 20 plus years, they have been operating and evolving.”
Continuing, Ms. Rolle said “One of the key takeaways from our introductory meeting with Ms. Valerie Veira and Mr. Harold Davis was about always maintaining a step ahead to pull MSMEs forward and so that is important to make sure there isn’t a disconnect in the services a SBDC or an entity in the advancement of MSME sector, not disconnect and lose what is needed to help support and push forward MSMEs.”
Ms. Valerie Veira, Chief Executive Officer, JBDC said “We are always interested in sharing what we do here at the JBDC and we know that each country has its own special flair, so we take pleasure in the exchange of experiences and knowledge.” Speaking on the delegation touring the JBDC facilities, Ms. Veira said “Each centre has its own special focus, which means we are able to touch many opportunities from various industries and that is very important for us, as our mandate is to lead the development of the MSME sector.”
SBDC Bahamas is a non-profit entity organised under the laws of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, to promote and enhance entrepreneurship and increase the ability of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) as well as drive the development of a robust and resilient economy for the Bahamian public.
The objective of the visit was to meet with entities that, in partnership with JBDC, are critical in the support and development of entrepreneurs and the MSME sector in Jamaica. This will assist SBDC Bahamas to consider effective and efficient ways to evolve in structure and programmatic interventions for sustained growth and success of their organisation.
