The Government will be providing ongoing support to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) as part of the national recovery and rebuilding process, says Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

In addition to interventions designed to restore commercial activity, the assistance includes business development services and inclusive procurement opportunities to ensure that they can recover and prosper.

Holness noted that MSMEs account for approximately 70 per cent of the labour force, making them a critical pillar of economic stability.  

“They are major employers, provide income for countless households, and form the backbone of our local communities,” he said.

Dr Holness was speaking at the official reopening of 44 kiosks and shops at Border in St Elizabeth on Friday, January 16, which were rebuilt by the Government.

The restoration of the facilities at the well-known roadside eatery marks an important step in the community’s recovery and economic revival in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

Prime Minister Holness said that the rebuilding of the facilities carries significance far beyond the physical restoration of the space, indicating the strong intent of the Government to assist businesses in affected communities to get back on their feet.

“This is not just about stalls,” he pointed out, “it’s about the livelihoods that sustain families and the communities that power our nation.”

He said it also demonstrates that Jamaica is intentional and serious about renewing the foundations of economic life with greater resilience and purpose.

“It is also important that we are doing it in an area that is a microcosm of the wider commercial endeavours in Jamaica,” he pointed out.

“We are sending a symbolic message of the Government’s intent, and our respect and appreciation for Jamaica’s small and micro businesses,” the prime minister added.

For his part, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Senator Aubyn Hill, said that the revival of economic activity at Border is part of the national strategy to accelerate recovery and the MSME ecosystem.

He noted that the reopened kiosks and shops are expected to help vendors resume operations, access formal markets, and expand customer reach, aligning with Jamaica’s disaster resilience and faster procurement goals.

More than 600 MSMEs across Trelawny, Hanover, St Elizabeth and St James have benefited from direct assistance, alongside voucher systems and community-based measures to help ensure continued access to essential goods.

The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) has expanded islandwide engagement through damage assessments, client reconnections and an emergency helpdesk, supported by a national MSME survey to better target interventions.

Medium-term recovery efforts are being advanced through the JBDC’s ‘Build Back Stronger’ programme, which focuses on business coaching, product development, digital support and resilience planning.

In addition, the National Export-Import Bank of Jamaica (EXIM Bank) has implemented flexible recovery measures, including loan moratoria, fee reductions, and expanded access to credit for Hurricane Melissa-affected businesses. These measures are intended to assist with working capital, equipment repair and supply-chain restoration.