Get on board, Edwards urges MSME

President of Jamaica Trade and Invest (JAMPRO) Diane Edwards has challenged micro, small and medium-size business operators to get on board the Export Max III in order to access the range of services to be provided under the initiative .

Launched last Thursday, the three-year programme will provide focused capacity-building, advocacy and market penetration support to exporters and export-ready firms. The main objective is to enable them to competitively position themselves to take advantage of market opportunities, which is expected to lead to a greater overall performance of the Jamaican economy.

JAMPRO has partnered with the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) and Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters' Association (JMEA) to provide the necessary hand-holding to assist in the transition from start-ups to globally competitive businesses.

"If you have a product or even an idea, you can start talking to JBDC from the idea stage. So let's create a movement that can change export," JAMPRO has charged exporters.

To this end, JAMPRO, with assistance of corporate sponsors, will provide high-level business mentorship and coaching, in addition to other initiatives geared towards improving productivity and competitiveness. The overall goal of the new Enterprise Development Programme is to build the internal capacities of exporters and export-firms to be competitively positioned to take advantage of market and increase export sales.

BIG-BROTHER ROLE

President of the JMEA, Metry Seaga, said that with a membership base of more than 4,000, most of which are small to medium-size companies, the association is ideally suited for its big-brother role.

He explained "What we bring to the table is a lot of hand-holding. We are about solving problems, and they are going to have issues, there is no question about it. We will leverage the networks that we have, and we hold their hands and walk with them through the process. The JMEA is fully committed to this programme. We realise how important it is."

- Applications forms for Expo Max III will be available online starting Friday, December 7. There is no application fee.

- Application deadline is 5 p.m., January 31, 2019. Applications must be uploaded to the Export Max page.

- Applications will only be accepted online via the JAMPRO website http://www-.jamaicantradeandinvest.org.