Seiveright urges firms to ‘get ready’ as JEF–YEA Business Development Centre launches

Minister of state in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce Delano Seiveright (right), joins business leaders (from left) Judon Bowden, first-vice president, JEF; Wayne Chen, president, JEF; and Cordell Williams, president, YEA. at the launch of the new Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF)–Young Entrepreneurs Association of Jamaica (YEA) Business Development Centre at JEF headquarters in New Kingston.

Kingston, Jamaica — Minister of state in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce Delano Seiveright has welcomed the launch of the new Jamaica Employers’ Federation–Young Entrepreneurs Association Business Development Centre, calling it a timely platform to help Jamaican businesses start, strengthen, and scale.

Speaking at Monday’s launch, Seiveright said the centre comes 20 years after YEA was birthed through JEF and will give entrepreneurs more accessible support, including professional services, mentorship, HR and digital support, training, and links to financing, procurement, government services and markets.

“Jamaica does not simply need more businesses. We need stronger, more productive, resilient, and export-ready businesses capable of competing successfully anywhere in the world,” Seiveright said.

He said the initiative is particularly timely as businesses position themselves for opportunities from Jamaica’s post-Hurricane Melissa reconstruction programme, while also adapting to artificial intelligence, new technologies, changing supply chains and increased global competition.

Reconstruction, he noted, will drive demand across construction, engineering, manufacturing, building materials, logistics, renewable energy, water systems, telecommunications, digital technologies, agriculture and professional services.

“Somebody is going to provide those goods and services. Why shouldn’t more of them be Jamaican businesses? Get ready. Don’t wait until the tender appears. Get your accounts in order, formalise your business, understand procurement, strengthen your management and become ready before the opportunity arrives,” he said.

Seiveright said the centre could become an important “front door” into Jamaica’s wider business-support ecosystem, connecting entrepreneurs with agencies including the Jamaica Business Development Corporation, JAMPRO, the Export-Import Bank of Jamaica, the Bureau of Standards, JIPO and the Companies Office.

He said his ministry is ready to work closely with JEF and YEA to advance the initiative.

The minister also urged entrepreneurs to think beyond the domestic market and target opportunities in emerging markets, exports, digital services, global supply chains and climate-resilience solutions.

“Being a small country does not require us to think small. Our objective must be to create pathways for micro businesses to become small businesses, small businesses to become medium businesses, and Jamaican businesses of every size to become globally competitive.”

Seiveright congratulated JEF, YEA and their leadership teams, describing the partnership as a practical contribution to Jamaica’s wider push for increased production, exports, investment and employment.

Source: Jamaica Observer