Opposition spokesperson on entrepreneurship and innovation, Dr Andre Haughton, is calling for greater accountability and further expansion of initiatives aimed at fostering a culture of innovation among Jamaica’s micro, small, and medium-size enterprises (MSME).

This follows a recent statement by Dr Charah Watson, executive director of the Scientific Research Council (SRC), highlighting the role that the council plays in providing scientific and technological support to start-ups and MSMEs. However, while commendable progress has been made, Haughton said there is still much work to be done to ensure transparency and effectiveness in the utilisation of SRC’s facilities and services.

“The nation’s future prosperity hinges on the ability of our people to venture into entrepreneurship, leveraging scientific and technological advancements to drive economic growth,” he said.

To this end, Haughton listed a few pertinent questions aimed at holding the SRC accountable and guiding its future endeavours:

1. How does the SRC currently measure and intend to measure the success and impact of its collaborations with MSMEs?
2. Can the SRC provide specific metrics or case studies demonstrating tangible outcomes resulting from its initiatives?
3. What proactive steps is the SRC taking to ensure accessibility and inclusivity in its support for MSMEs, particularly those in underserved communities or sectors?
4. Can the SRC provide examples of innovative products or technologies developed through its partnerships with MSMEs, and elucidate on how these contributions have translated into economic growth and job creation?
5. Moreover, while the SRC serves as a repository of scientific information and facilitates technology transfer, how does it plan to further enhance its role as an enabler of innovation and industry creation?

In line with his advocacy for ‘Fresh Mind, New Ideas’, the economist made the following recommendations for the SRC:

1. Strengthen collaboration with academic institutions such as UWI and UTECH to foster interdisciplinary research and knowledge exchange, thereby catalysing innovation in key priority areas.
2. Expand outreach efforts to raise awareness among MSMEs about the resources and support services offered by the SRC, with a specific focus on capacity building and skills development in emerging technologies.
3. Advocate for increased funding and investment in research and development, both from public and private sources, to sustainably scale up the SRC’s activities and maximise its impact on economic growth and competitiveness.

“I remain committed to working collaboratively with the SRC and other stakeholders to address these challenges and capitalise on the opportunities presented by scientific research and technological innovation,” Haughton said.