The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) has launched its latest financing solution, the Opportunities for Resilient Businesses, Innovation & Transformation (ORBIT), a J$2 billion financing facility to help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) modernise, scale and compete in priority sectors. 

The programme will deliver affordable loans of up to J$30 million per business at a competitive interest rate of 8 per cent, targeting businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, health and the creative industries that are seeking to invest in equipment financing for growth.

Managing Director of the DBJ, Dr David Lowe, said the initiative reflects the continued commitment to unlocking capital access in the MSME sector. “ORBIT is designed to give MSMEs affordable credit, reasonable terms, and stronger support than they have ever had before. We are breaking down barriers to financing and ensuring that our MSMEs in these critical sectors can partner with us to build resilient, competitive businesses ready to expand into global markets.”

The ORBIT facility models a blended financing approach to expand access to capital by partnering with the Bank’s Approved Financial Institutions (AFIs) for loan disbursement. To ease financing challenges, the facility includes repayment periods that can be extended up to 10 years, and partial collateral guarantees through the Bank’s Credit Enhancement Fund (CEF), which can cover up to 90 per cent of loans. ORBIT also integrates DBJ’s access to technical assistance programmes, such as the Energy Audit Grant for energy efficiency, ensuring that financing is paired with enterprise development and capacity building.

Dr Lowe went further to explain that the facility was developed in consultation with MSMEs and industry association partners to ensure relevance to market needs. “This programme was created by listening to our local business community. Farmers and agro-processors can now invest in climate-smart technologies and storage facilities; manufacturers can integrate automation and modern production tools; health service providers can scale with diagnostics and specialised care; and creatives can secure critical ‘finishing funds’ to bring productions to market.”

With an allocation of J$2 billion, ORBIT is well-positioned to make an impact for ambitious MSMEs across Jamaica, building production capacity and resilience along value chains.