The Ministry of Industry and Commerce is set to host the second MSME Business Roadshow for 2025 at the Juici Empowerment Park in Clarendon today (February 20).

An initiative of the ministry in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the roadshow is a commitment to foster entrepreneurship and business growth across Jamaica.

Micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners will gain direct access to MIIC’s 19 agencies, along with support from other government entities, financial institutions, and corporate sponsors.

“The ministry encourages entrepreneurs to register for the MSME Business Roadshow and take full advantage of the resources, guidance, and financial opportunities available on the day,” said Sancia Bennett Templer, permanent secretary in the ‘business ministry’.

“Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to register for the online payment platform being offered by MasterCard with the prospects of possibly receiving a smartphone to accept card transactions,” she noted further.

The event will feature the MSME Expo Village, Tech Corner, and Knowledge-Sharing Sessions, led by industry experts and key stakeholders.

Among the event’s sponsors are the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) through its Community Renewal Programme (CRP); MasterCard; HEART/NSTA Trust; Development Bank of Jamaica; Hi-Pro; Jamalco; Pepsi; and ATL Automotive Group.

‘Pitching for success’

At the kick-off leg of the 2025 MSME Business Roadshow series, held at the Twickenham Park Church of the Open Bible in St. Catherine on January 16, several entrepreneurs emerged as winners in the Micro Business Pitch Competition: Ronnetta Crooks-Allen – RSS Natural; Kimone Leon –Karley’s Dawta; Tamiko Smith – Tamiko TS Beauty and Spa JA; Jervin Johnson – TroPicks 365; and Francine Bacchus – Broomie LLC.

For the Small Business Pitch Competition, the winners were: Treachea Reid – Shades of Elegance; Peta-Gay Pryce – BWT Services; Jamie Hall – Showfa Express; Crooxcine Cooper-Mayes – Re-crown in Purpose; and Kevoy Community Development Institute Jamaica Ltd.

At each stop of the MSME Business Roadshow, grants totalling J$3 million are awarded through the Business Pitch Competitions. The next stop on the MIIC MSME Business Roadshow will be at the St. Elizabeth Technical High School in Santa Cruz on Thursday, March 6. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to register early to secure their spot by visiting roadshow.miic.gov.jm.