An agency of the Ministry of Industry, Investment & Commerce, the JBDC is Jamaica’s premier business development organisation working collaboratively with government, private sector, as well as, academic, research and international communities.

Contact

1876-928-5161-5
1876-928-0275
1876-928-4136

Mobile (Digicel)

1876-881-6146
1876-577-3145

14 Camp Road, Kingston

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 16, 2022

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) continued its thrust for digital transformation in the Micro, Small & Medium-sized Enterprise (MSME) sector through a partnership with Sky Blue Transactions Solutions, which operates EZeepayments. On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, the local online payment solutions company presented at the JBDC Virtual Biz Zone webinar under the theme, Digitisation and e-Commerce Solutions for SMEs. The conversation was the last session in June’s Marketing and Sales Series, where entrepreneurs were implored to consider digital tools and resources to improve sales.

Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Narda Ventura and Chief Technical Officer, Mr. Kyle Lewis of Sky Blue Transactions Solutions framed the history of the evolution of e-commerce and digitisation and the role they have in the success of small businesses. Ms. Ventura noted “The advent of platforms that provide both products and services online has changed the way customers now expect to interact with businesses.“

Introducing EZeePayments as one of the local payment options now available in the market, Ms. Ventura noted “There are a myriad of e-commerce platforms that Jamaicans are acquainted with, like Amazon, eBay but unfortunately none of these popular payment facilitators have the ability to process Jamaican dollars.”

Ms. Ventura noted “EzeePayments was developed in response to a growing demand for individuals, small, medium-sized and established businesses that want to start processing online payments immediately.” Continuing, she said “Many local small businesses using social commerce; that is transacting businesses using social media platforms, are not closing their sales because of the purchasing processes.”

According to an independent market research conducted by Sky Blue Transactions this year, “70% of small businesses in this survey were having their sales being aborted, because they literally stopped their customers from going through a purchasing experience similar to Amazon’s check out process.” 

Continuing to highlight reasons sales were being aborted Ms. Ventura shared “When customers are asked to step out of the platform, write down banking details and do their transfer, many may get turned off from purchasing.”

Commenting on the local platform, Ms. Ventura said “Entrepreneurs are looking for a simple and sweet solution that will not burden their customers along the way. EzeePayment has an SSL secured checkout page and provides e-commerce capabilities, affordable prices. The platform empowers businesses to grow with or without a website and allows entrepreneurs to price and earn in both Jamaican and US dollars.”

Ms. Suzette Campbell, Manager of Corporate Communications said “The JBDC understands the role digitisation plays in the progression and success of the local MSME sector and we host sessions such as these to encourage those in the sector to explore platforms that allow sales and marketing processes to become more effective.”

The JBDC Virtual Biz Zone webinars are geared toward stimulating entrepreneurs within the Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (MSME) sector. The webinars are held on Tuesdays at 10:00am via Zoom. Interested persons are encouraged to join by registering at www.jbdc.net. The sessions can also be watched on JBDC’s YouTube channel.

-END-

Author

Corporate Communications