Industry Ministry intensifies post-hurricane assistance for MSMEs

 

The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce says it has intensified the coordinated support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) as part of the government's ongoing economic recovery efforts following the impact of Hurricane Melissa. 

 

More than 600 entities across Trelawny, Hanover, St. Elizabeth and St. James have so far received direct assistance. The support programme includes the reconstruction of a cluster of 44 small shops in Border, St. Elizabeth, built to be more hurricane-resilient and flood-protected. 

 

Grocery operations and cold storage capacity in White House, Westmoreland have also been restored through targeted generator support. 

 

State Minister Delano Seiveright said while the reinstatement of electricity, water and telecommunication services has progressed steadily, many small and micro enterprises, particularly in western Jamaica, continue to face disruption, making targeted business recovery support a priority. 

 

He noted that the focus is on speed, coordination and practical interventions to help businesses reopen and preserve jobs. 

 

"Our agencies, including the Jamaica Business Development Corporation and EXIM Bank, they are actively supporting business assessments, their recovery, recovery financing and restart efforts and we're also coordinating closely with partner institutions, like the Development Bank of Jamaica, to ensure businesses can access the help they need. So the focus is simple; it's get businesses reopened, protect jobs and help communities stabilise. We will continue working with urgency to ensure that the productive sector recovers and emerges stronger," the state minister vowed.