The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) has laid the foundation for a powerful legacy, celebrating excellence in Jamaican enterprise.

Since its inception in 1982, the JCC annual awards have honoured organisations that embody performance, innovation, and the spirit of national development. In 2025, under the leadership of the current board and with the guidance of president Phillip Ramson, the chamber marks the 40th staging of the awards, which is considered an enduring symbol of business leadership driving Jamaica forward.

Across industries, the Awards spotlight companies that are redefining productivity, not simply as output, but as smart, sustainable performance. Rooted in the Chamber’s tradition of progress, nominees this year are leveraging technology, embracing data, and training their teams to compete globally. These businesses are not just improving operations; they are building resilient, future-facing models grounded in innovation.

As JCC president Ramson has emphasised, productivity today must be seen as a long-term commitment to excellence that uplifts employees, enhances the customer experience, and contributes meaningfully to Jamaica’s development goals.

But productivity alone cannot chart the course ahead.

The second pillar, equity, has taken centre stage under the chamber’s evolving vision. In today’s environment, equity must mean fair and accessible opportunities for businesses of every size and from every sector. According to president Ramson, “the JCC recognises that Jamaica’s economic future depends on a level playing field—where MSMEs, family-owned businesses, and startups have the same chance to thrive as large corporations.”

Through strategic partnerships, training initiatives, and a deliberate focus on rural and underserved areas, the chamber, guided by its leadership, is expanding the reach of opportunity. The businesses being honoured this year reflect that ethos: they are building bridges for others, opening doors, and helping to balance the scales for long-term, inclusive growth.

Entrepreneurship, the third pillar, remains the heart of the Jamaican business landscape. What has changed is the boldness and diversity of today’s entrepreneurial voices. The chamber has actively evolved the awards to reflect this energy, amplifying the impact of micro, small and emerging businesses in areas such as wellness, hospitality, tech, legal services, mentorship, communications, and food and beverage. These entrepreneurs are not just responding to challenges, they are innovating through them. Their presence in growing numbers, especially in the MSME categories, signals a thriving and ambitious ecosystem that is defining the next era of Jamaican enterprise.

The awards programme itself has undergone a thoughtful transformation. Once focused predominantly on large, traditional enterprises, the JCC Awards now celebrate a broader spectrum of business excellence.

The JCC Barita Marketing Excellence Award and the recently introduced JCC CARRERAS Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Award reflect this shift, highlighting businesses that lead with innovation, purpose, and a commitment to sustainability.

“The businesses being honoured this year are more than just high performers; they are trailblazers of a new Jamaican economy. Through productivity, equity, and entrepreneurship, they are building a blueprint for a more dynamic, inclusive, and prosperous future, ” said Phillip Ramson, president of the JCC.

“As we celebrate this 40-year milestone, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce affirms its role not just as an advocate but as a champion of progress. The chamber will continue to be the voice, the champion, and the catalyst for business in Jamaica. The next forty years begin now—and the future is already taking shape.”