The topic of strategic partnerships was high on the agenda at the JBDC’s ‘Breakfast with the CEO’ event as key stakeholders met on Thursday (April 4) at the AC Hotel in New Kingston.
The breakfast event also discussed interventions for the development and success of the micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) sector.
Valerie Veira, chief executive at the JBDC, highlighted the importance of collaboration,
“As we enter into the new budget year, we are looking forward to even a stronger relationship in the new period. Unless we partner, we will not achieve our common goal of creating an enabling business environment for our MSMEs. JBDC is looking forward to a strengthened relationship as we march forward.”
Veira says the agency acts as ‘network broker’ in forging strategic partnerships to help reshape the MSME landscape, where micro-businesses can upscale and move into big businesses.
As the agency’s first event planned for the new April 2024-March 2025 fiscal year, the JBDC renewed its commitment to supporting MSMEs aligned with its motto ‘from concept to market’.
While lauding the initiative, Industry Minister Aubyn Hill, commended the JBDC for its efforts “to get MSMEs at a place where they can manage”.
He added that local MSMEs, a significant contributor to Jamaica’s gross domestic product (GDP) and overall sustainable economic development, “Must become known regionally and internationally as more efficient manufacturers of goods and ever improving crafters of ingenious services that people will buy”.
This is dependent on a business environment that works together for the success of the ‘nation’s backbone’.
Zoning in on the 2018 MSME & Entrepreneurship Policy, which emphasises the need for the creation of ‘An enabling business environment’ the roundtable discussion led by JBDC also featured the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ), Jamaica Bankers Association (JBA), and Trade Board Limited.
The conversation highlighted initiatives surrounding tax and incentive structure, legal, regulatory and administrative framework, energy costs, informality, government procurement, internationalisation of MSMEs and others.
Four entrepreneurs also received the JBDC ‘Boss of the Year’ awards for 2023. Eileen Dunkley-Shim of Nettys Farm and Kemisha Oates of Body by Roxanne copped respective ‘boss lady’ and runner-up.
On the male side, Wouter Tjeertes of Pure Chocolate and Richard James Robinson of Gemisis Jamaica won ‘boss man’ and runner-up, respectively.
Source: Ourtoday – https://our.today/stakeholder-partnerships-critical-for-msme-sucesss/
