Winners of the Ministry of Industry, Investment, & Commerce (MIIC), MSME Business Roadshow Business Pitch competitions proudly display their grant cheques alongside MIIC Permanent Secretary Mrs. Sancia Bennett Templer (centre left) and Senator the Honourable Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce (centre right) at the St. Elizabeth Technical High School in Santa Cruz on Thursday, March 6, 2025. The grant awardees for the St. Elizabeth staging of the MSME Business Roadshow are: (from left) Junior Chin of Jamaica Drivers Education Forum; Asheki Spooner and Jacquneil Spooner of Havilah Organics and Cosmetics; Lorraine Barnaby of Delicious Bites; Othneilia Downes of Convenient Agro-processing; Alexandria Levanda of The Parcel Pros; Keila McKenzie of O&D Pest Control; Nevine Salmon of Laka Sharah Soapery & Boutique; Moyan Martin of MVM Cuisine; and Shane Miller of Stevos Weavos Handicrafts. The winners obtained grant amounts of J$400,000 and J$200,000, totalling $3M in funding to boost their businesses.
The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), Jamaica’s Business Ministry, in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), will host the next staging of its MSME Business Roadshow series on Tuesday, June 18, 2025, at the Manning’s School in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Now in its second phase, the MSME Business Roadshow has become one of the most effective and results-driven initiatives led by the Ministry to support and strengthen Jamaica’s private sector. Since its launch, the Roadshow has reached over 2,000 entrepreneurs across seven parishes, delivering direct support through business exhibitions, mentorship, capacity-building workshops, and consultations. In total, 52 entrepreneurs have already been awarded $14.6 million in grant funding through the Roadshow’s Business Pitch Competitions, designed to identify and empower high-potential enterprises. The initiative has also brought visibility to 266 MSMEs showcased in the MSME Village, including 19 technology-oriented companies.
Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce, commented, “Taking the MSME Business Roadshow to every parish, including Westmoreland, is a strategic move to deliver government services to every corner of Jamaica, where they matter most: to the entrepreneurs on the ground.”
“Through our 20 agencies and departments, we are giving MSME companies the tools to expand, formalize, access financing, and enter both traditional and digital export markets. This Roadshow is part of our broader push to make Jamaica a globally competitive, export-driven, digitally connected, investment-ready economy. The Ministry I lead is committed to helping every serious entrepreneur to convert ideas into income, and help grow the Jamaican economy.” said Minister Hill
Highlights from Phase One and Phase Two
The Roadshow previously made stops in Mandeville, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, and Kingston in Phase One (2023), and in Spanish Town, Clarendon Park, and Santa Cruz in early 2025 under Phase Two.
A major highlight of the Roadshow is its Business Pitch Competition, which provides grant funding to outstanding business ideas. In Phase One, 22 entrepreneurs were awarded grants, with micro businesses receiving $150,000 and small businesses receiving $350,000. In Phase Two, the grant amounts were increased to $200,000 for micro businesses and $400,000 for small businesses; and each stop featured 10 grant recipients. In total, 52 entrepreneurs have secured more than $14 million in grant funding to help boost and scale their businesses.
What to Expect in Westmoreland
On June 18, Westmoreland becomes the next stop in the Ministry’s drive to deliver real services, funding, and opportunities directly to Jamaican entrepreneurs. MSMEs in attendance will gain immediate access to a full-day business expo, live demonstrations and a consultation hub featuring MIIC’s 20 agencies and departments, including JBDC, JAMPRO, the EXIM Bank, the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ), and the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ).What to Expect in Westmoreland On June 18, Westmoreland becomes the next stop in the Ministry’s drive to deliver real services, funding, and opportunities directly to Jamaican entrepreneurs. MSMEs in attendance will gain immediate access to a full-day business expo, live demonstrations and a consultation hub featuring MIIC’s 20 agencies and departments, including JBDC, JAMPRO, the EXIM Bank, the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ), and the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ).
From business registration and compliance assistance to financing solutions and export training, entrepreneurs will receive hands-on support to formalize, expand, and export. The day will also feature focused workshops on business planning, digital marketing, and export readiness. A key highlight will be the live business pitch competition, where entrepreneurs will compete for cash grants to grow their enterprises and strengthen their contribution to Jamaica’s economic transformation.
At least four more stops are planned for the 2025/26 financial year, as the Ministry deepens its national push to formalize, strengthen, and accelerate MSME growth across all parishes.
For more information on the MSME Business Roadshow and the Westmoreland stop, visit: roadshow.miic.gov.jm or follow the conversation online: #MSMEBusinessRoadshow.
Source: MIIC
