MSME & Entrepreneurship Policy Consultation on February 20

Members of the micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) sector are being invited to participate in the ‘National MSME & Entrepreneurship Policy Consultation’ at the AC Marriott Hotel in New Kingston on February 20.

To be hosted by the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, alongside several key stakeholders, the session will facilitate the revision and crafting of the draft ‘Green Paper’ to ensure that the policy reflects and includes new and emerging trends.

These include, but are not limited to, the need for increased digitisation and digitalisation; inclusion of marginalised groups such as women, youth and persons with disabilities, as well as continued access to finance and emerging trends around the orange, blue and green economies.

The consultation will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with presentations by Portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, representatives from the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), and others.

Also on the day, the Ministry will stage its Business Pitch Competition, where participating MSMEs will have a chance to win up to $300,000.

Eligible entities must be in operation for two years or more, earn $15 million or less in annual revenue/sales turnover, have five or less employees, and are scalable.

In addition to the monetary prize, participating entities will have the opportunity to benefit from access to business development support and potential enrolment in the Export Max Programme, among other things.

Registration for the competition is now open and will close on Thursday, February 15.

For more information on both initiatives, persons may visit the Ministry’s website at https://www.miic.gov.jm/ or call 876-968-7116.

Source: JIS