GRIT Project Launched in Jamaica to Empower Women Entrepreneurs

The Government has pledged its support for a new regional initiative designed to help women led businesses grow, compete, and access international markets.

The Caribbean Women Generating Resilient and Inclusive Trade (GRIT) Project was officially launched in Jamaica on Wednesday (April 15), at Jack Sprat restaurant in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth.

The four year Can$3-million initiative, running from 2025 to 2028, is spearheaded by the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) with funding support from Global Affairs Canada.

The project targets women entrepreneurs across six Caribbean countries – Jamaica, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines – with a focus on agro processing, renewable energy, ecotourism, and digital services. More than 800 women are expected to directly benefit.

In her address, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) President, Shullette Cox, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, emphasised that GRIT’s blend of training, technical assistance, matching grants, market intelligence, and business missions represents the kind of integrated support system that moves the needle for women entrepreneurs in Jamaica.

“We want women-led businesses to compete, grow, access financing and simultaneously reach global markets. What the GRIT programme adds is the regional elements – the regional partnership, the regional support, the global support – and four dedicated years to make it real for every woman entrepreneur in every parish at every stage of her journey,” she explained.

Mrs. Cox added that, through existing Caribbean Women Entrepreneurship initiatives, the Ministry has already supported 190 women owned businesses across five parishes.

This assistance has facilitated the registration of 50 businesses, while 84 others have received equipment, consultation, and formalisation support, according to her.

“This is a strategic national investment, and our partnership with GRIT gives us the regional architecture to deepen and accelerate what we, as a government, have already started,” Mrs. Cox stated.

For his part, Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, His Excellency Mark Berman, noted that the launch carried added significance given its location.

St. Elizabeth bore the full brunt of Hurricane Melissa, and Mr. Berman highlighted that Canada has undertaken 12 missions to western Jamaica since the storm, committing more than Can$17 million in humanitarian and development assistance to support the island’s recovery.

He said GRIT forms part of the broader recovery effort, positioning trade as a powerful driver of economic growth and resilience.

“We really are delighted that the GRIT project can contribute to the broader economic recovery objectives in support of Jamaica’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Canada is encouraged to empower Jamaicans to achieve their fullest potential and support a prosperous economy,” Mr. Berman underscored.

CEDA Executive Director, Dr. Damie Sinanan, underscored that the GRIT Project will deliver targeted support through grants, technical assistance, digital transformation, and green production strategies, with a strong emphasis on enhancing export readiness.

He added that the programme will also strengthen partnerships with financial institutions to expand access to funding, particularly for underserved groups such as rural women, women with disabilities, and indigenous communities.