Shaw lauds Scotiabank’s Vision Achiever Programme

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon Audley Shaw, has lauded Scotiabank’s Vision Achiever Programme, which he said is providing another opportunity for increased growth of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). He noted that the MSME sector is an important driver of economic growth, which governments rely on to create jobs and increase economic growth and productivity.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2018 Scotiabank Vision Achiever Programme at the Terra Nova All-Suites Hotel in Kingston on September 11, Minister Shaw said, “Scotiabank, a private sector entity, stepped up to the plate in 2011 with the start of this programme. It can only augur well for us as a nation, when larger entities, and indeed financial providers, aid our smaller players to grow and expand. It means more business for everyone”.
Minister Shaw further informed that Jamaica’s first MSME and Entrepreneurship Policy was introduced as a comprehensive document of initiatives for addressing the major issues confronting the growth and development of the MSME sector and to create a strategic structure for its development.
“We are now in the process of executing the 5-year implementation plan, based on a revision of the policy in 2017, which focuses on six priority areas, which include, Creating an Enabling Business Environment; Increasing Finance to the Sector; Enhancing Business Development Support, among others. The MSME Division in my Ministry has also launched the National Policy Implementation Committee (NPIC) which is responsible for the oversight and monitoring of the MSME and Entrepreneurship Policy and, this committee will be meeting on September 25 for the first time”, Minister Shaw announced.
The 2018 Scotiabank Vision Achiever Programme provided 25 SMEs the opportunity to benefit from a 17 week coaching programme. The programme, led by International Business Coach, Marcia Woon-Choy of ActionCOACH, is designed to impart core competencies required for running a profitable business which include sales, systemizing the business process, marketing and understanding business financials.
The top-three participants – Quality Systems Solutions & Initiatives, Morgan’s Creek Ltd., and Jamaican Care Packages Ltd., received prizes totaling $5.38 million, inclusive of, $1.5 million in advertising from Business Access TV; $750,000 in grants from the Development Bank of Jamaica; $1.08 million in the development of advertising campaign material from eMedia Interactive Group; $450,000 in digital business solutions from Digicel Business; $1 million in digital marketing workshops from iCreate; $600,000 in digital marketing solutions from Trendmedia; and $100,000 in printing services from Lithographic Printers.
They were selected based on attendance, completion of all home fund, participation in class and performance during the course.
Participating companies included: Quality Systems Solutions & Initiatives, Natz Royale Beauty Care & Supplies, Nature My Therapy, Irie Rock Yaad Spa, Polka Dots Ltd, GD Films, Reve Ltd, Kay-D’s Farms, D’Marie Institute Ltd, Morgans Creek Ltd, Office Outlet, Heart Smart Centre Ltd, Jamaican Care Packages Ltd, CMAG Scaffolding Ltd, Advitek Systems Ltd, Alkatec Company, Touchpoint Hospitality Ltd, Watt’s New, The Original Arm Candy, Global Laboratories & Health Limited, Garland Law, Adana’s Pharmacy, Shavuot International Holdings Company Ltd, Ali Mic Institute & More Ltd, and Stokeley Marshall, Attorney-at-Law.
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