The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) celebrates Jamaica’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) on World MSME Day, June 27, 2026 for their continued contribution to national development, under the theme, “Leveraging Digital Transformation for MSME Resilience.”
Acting Chief Executive Officer of the JBDC, Harold Davis, said the observance provides an opportunity for Jamaica to recognise the courage, creativity and persistence of entrepreneurs, particularly those who have had to rebuild, reposition and remain operational in an increasingly uncertain business environment.
“This year’s theme in particular is significant because in the last nine months, we have been talking a lot about resilience after the devastation of Hurricane Melissa,” Davis said. “Now, how do you achieve resilience as an entrepreneur? And how do you achieve this resilience in times of instability, in times of climate change? One such way is through your digital adoption.”
A major focus of this year’s celebration is the Digital Jamaica Project, through which the JBDC is facilitating the digital transitioning of existing MSMEs. The project forms part of the European Union-sponsored Digital Transitioning Programme for Jamaica, which was launched in October 2023 to increase inclusive access to, and use of, information and communications technology across the country.
Under the Digital Jamaica Project, approximately 2,700 entrepreneurs are being targeted for training in digitisation, digitalisation and digital transformation. To date, more than 1,800 MSMEs across all 14 parishes have successfully completed training.
The programme has also demonstrated strong inclusivity and diversity, with more than 73 percent of participants being female and 68 percent of trained MSMEs located outside the Kingston Metropolitan Area.
Beyond training, the JBDC has assisted 78 MSMEs to access and integrate more than 70 digital tools across 13 areas of business. These include project management and productivity, business operations, design and content creation, client management, communication and collaboration, websites, e-commerce and learning management systems.
Tools implemented include QuickBooks, Zoho, Odoo, Canva, Asana, Trello, Calendly, ChatGPT, Microsoft 365 Copilot, AI chatbots and Replit.
Davis said this is the kind of practical transformation that strengthens businesses and allows entrepreneurs to operate more efficiently, reach customers more effectively and compete beyond local borders.
Established in April 2001, the JBDC is an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce with a mandate to facilitate the sustainable creation and development of MSMEs in Jamaica. Through its corporate headquarters, Incubator and Resource Centre, islandwide network of Small Business Development Centres and chain of Things Jamaican™ stores, the agency has spent almost 26 years supporting thousands of entrepreneurs move ‘From concept to market’ through business, technical, research and marketing support.
“We have, in the period, helped so many MSMEs realise their dreams, realise their aspirations of global reach, of internationalisation. And we’re so proud of the MSMEs that we have helped,” he said.
Davis encouraged MSMEs to continue pursuing growth with confidence, noting that the JBDC remains committed to supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of development.
“I want to say again to all MSMEs, the world is your oyster. Don’t let anyone deter you from believing that,” he said. “JBDC is here to help you to achieve your aspiration of growth, of scalability, of profit, of internationalisation. Happy World MSME Day to all entrepreneurs.”
