JAMAICA-Government committed to the development of MSME.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC—The Jamaica government says it remains committed to the growth and development of the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) sector, which continues to play a pivotal role in the country’s economy.

Minister with responsibility for Information, Skills, and Digital Transformation, Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, noted that with over 422,000 MSMEs operating in Jamaica, these entities are undeniably the backbone of the economy, employing between 60 and 70 percent of workers and accounting for over 90 percent of private sector employment.

“It’s your businesses that are building our country. It’s your businesses that will be able to take Jamaica forward,” she told the graduation ceremony for 350 operators in the MSME sector who participated in the Wisynco/Coca-Cola Foundation ‘Growing Together’ initiative over the weekend.

A free online business management course benefited the owners of corner shops, wholesales, groceries, and supermarkets across Wisynco’s network.

Topics covered included inclusion and personal growth, managing your business, digitalizing the business, electronic payments, WhatsApp business, inventory, and financial health.

“This is a bold and visionary step forward for our people and economy. What it says is that the Wisynco Group is committed to their partners and the MSME sector,’ said Dr. Morris Dixon as she lauded the organizers of the training course.

“ The graduates did not have to pay a fee or travel far away to classrooms…you could just learn at your convenience. Therefore, this Growing Together initiative is admirable and should be commended,” she said.

Dr. Morris Dixon commended the graduates and urged them to use the knowledge they had gained to grow their businesses.

“Your resilience, creativity, and dynamism fuel our local markets and create the foundation upon which our collective economic prosperity will be built.

“By strengthening your capabilities, Wisynco is investing in the heart of our nation’s economic vitality, and I hope other large companies are watching and taking note of what Wisynco is doing,” she said.

Wisynco Chairman William Mahfood said he was pleased that the company was able to contribute to building the capacity of the MSME operators. He noted that 83 percent of the participants were women and thanked them for all they do in building the nation.