The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) is accelerating its push to modernise the nation’s micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) through the EU-funded Digital Jamaica Project, an effort aimed at embedding technology into the very core of local business operations.
The programme, launched in partnership with the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), zeroes in on the digitalisation of business processes that have historically been left behind — from payroll and invoicing to vendor management, e-payments, and enterprise resource planning.
From Training to Execution
While training entrepreneurs remains an important pillar, JBDC has shifted gears toward hands-on implementation. The agency is working with 500 MSMEs this year to ensure that at least one internal process is fully digitised.
“Sometimes it’s simple, like social media management. Other times it’s more sophisticated, such as CRM platforms or ERP systems,” explained Chantol Dormer, manager of JBDC’s project management and research unit. “What matters is measurable transformation that makes business easier to run.”
By 2026, JBDC intends to train 2,700 MSMEs in digital adoption — a move designed to help local enterprises keep pace with global market demands and sharpen their competitiveness.
Bridging the Digital Gap
The urgency of this push stems from stark findings: a baseline study revealed that just 32 per cent of MSMEs were comfortable using digital tools, and most of that comfort came from basic social media usage.
Harold Davis, Acting CEO of JBDC, underlined the importance of moving beyond surface-level engagement. “Operating in a digital economy means more than having an Instagram account. It’s about being able to trade, communicate, and transact in a marketplace that has already gone digital. If we don’t move with it, we risk being left behind.”
Customised Support for Every Business
The programme is not a one-size-fits-all exercise. Businesses undergo a digital assessment to identify their unique gaps, which could range from finance and HR to marketing or supply chain systems. From there, the right tools are introduced and monitored for real impact.
Importantly, all of this support comes at no cost to the participating MSMEs. “We are investing EU and Government of Jamaica funds directly into these businesses,” Dormer emphasised. “The only requirement is that they are registered and ready to use the tools provided.”
Building Long-Term Competitiveness
The initiative is more than a tech upgrade — it is a national competitiveness strategy. By strengthening the operational backbone of MSMEs, JBDC is positioning them to scale, attract investment, and plug into global trade more effectively.
“The world isn’t waiting,” Davis noted. “Digital transformation is not optional for Jamaican businesses — it’s survival.”
