The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) has opened its ninth business information centre in Mandeville, which will provide a range of technical support for small entrepreneurs.

The facility, located at the Morris Entrepreneurial Centre, was opened last Thursday.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the JBDC and the Northern Caribbean University for the operation of the facility, which will offer general business information, business development and planning services, customised training packages, and back-office support to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Minister of state in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Investment, Michael Stern, said the JBDC continues to strengthen and expand its network of business information points across the island.

Export

"This is showing you that we are reaching a lot (of small business operators) and they are being used and they are building capacity," he said, noting that the personnel are highly trained, with expertise in back-office operations.

MSMEs also receive assistance through the network of Export Centre Business Information Points (ECBIP) "which cater more to export and production and processing, but they are trying to make sure that people get all the information and have access to all that you need for your business," Stern explained.

The ECBIP project is being implemented under the five-year Private Sector Development Programme, which is being funded by the Government of Jamaica and the European Union, and involves collaboration among Jamaica Trade and Invest, the JBDC, and the Jamaica Exporters' Association. It aims to positively impact national export performance and competitiveness and improve the access of Jamaican products to international markets.