KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) has opened a renovated agro-processing incubator to boost production and export among micro and small agro-processors.
The European Union (EU) funded the project, managed by the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and implemented by the JBDC.
Industry, Investment, and Commerce Minister Aubyn Hill told the project launch on Monday that it is a significant milestone in Jamaica’s path toward entrepreneurial excellence.
“The initiative is a vital step in our journey at the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, aligning perfectly with our strategic goal to develop and strengthen industry value chains for export,” he said.
Hill said that micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) contribute significantly to Jamaica’s gross domestic product, approximately 44 percent, adding that integrating them into a robust export value chain is crucial to boosting their growth potential and enhancing the country’s economic prosperity and global market presence.
JBDC Incubator and Resource Centre Manager for Technical Services, Colin Porter, said, ‘we moved from approximately 600 sq. ft. to a total of 1,000 sq. ft. because we were constrained just by the physical limitations of the space itself.
“However, this expansion will now allow us to more efficiently allow our clients to carry out product development and production activities,” he said.
Porter said the JBDC is working towards achieving Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) 22000 for the incubator, “which means that we will be truly ready to export worldwide.”
Meanwhile, the advisor to the CDB Vice-President of Operations, Dr. Darran Newman, said that agriculture plays a critical role in the fabric of Caribbean societies.
“It serves as a source of sustenance and a cornerstone of our economy, providing income for millions. This agro-processing incubator symbolizes our commitment to nurturing and cultivating a culture of entrepreneurship and excellence within this agro-processing domain.”
Dr. Newman said that Jamaica’s pool of agricultural entrepreneurs is poised to grow through collaboration, mentorship, and access to state-of-the-art facilities.
“This is a testament to our unwavering belief in the potential of agriculture to be a driving force for progress and prosperity,” she added.
JBDC is a Ministry of Industry, Investment, and Commerce agency mandated to provide business development services to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
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