The Jamaica Development Corporation (JBDC) is set to stage its sixth annual Expo on Tuesday, May 21, at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston. The event, which began in 2008, is keen on fulfilling specific objectives which will assist in the sustainable creation and development of micro, small and medium-size enterprises (MSMEs) in Jamaica.Some of the main objectives are to provide training and development opportunities for and MSMEs, to provide information on trending topics in sector, as well as to assist small with the necessary skills and processes that will help them regularise their existing business functions. It is being hosted under the theme 'Taking Business to next Level: From Self-Employment to Entrepreneurship'.
The minister of state in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams noted that the country was at a critical juncture and much effort is being made to put the economy on a firm and sustainable growth path.
"We are responsible for our growth, and it is our MSMEs that must lead in bringing the level of growth and innovation that we need. It is our MSME entrepreneurs that must help to stimulate economic growth by inventing new products, implementing new solutions for existing ideas, and by helping to provide new employment opportunities," she said.
In the meantime, JBDC Chief Executive Officer Valerie Veira highlighted the importance of enhancing the MSME business environment in order to facilitate the development and growth of the sector through business and technical-support services provided through the JBDC and other support agencies who will participate in the exposition.
Veira said, "... the Small Business Expo is a great platform for micro and small business owners to garner relevant information on the sector and make linkages with both small and large companies. Corporate Jamaica recognises the importance of this sector because it gives them an opportunity to provide bona fide benefits to small-business development in our country.
The JBDC Small Business Expo will bring more than 30 exhibitors on the conference floor from a variety of industries including manufacturing, craft, banking, accounting, transport, business, technology and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with these organisations and access business-support services for authentic Jamaican products.
Other main highlights at the exposition and conference are interactive panel discussions with local and international business leaders and entrepreneurs, mini workshops for specific support areas, financial consultations, business clinics, as well as peer-to-peer mentoring and business-development support with industry experts.