A digital transformation support programme is being designed for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), to aid in the adoption of technological solutions that will improve sustainability and advance the sector’s growth.
The initiative, which will involve the integration of specialised digitalisation business development support, is being undertaken by the Industry, Investment and Commerce Ministry with the support of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Jamaica, and the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).
Making the disclosure during his contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 17), State Minister for Industry, Investment and Commerce, Dr. the Hon. Norman Dunn, informed that the Ministry’s technical team is working closely with the EU Delegation and the PIOJ to have the programme implemented in the 2023/2024 Financial Year.
He said the programme is in line with the Government’s continued work to build the resilience of MSMEs. This is crucial, he said, as the country seeks to recover from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which adversely impacted many small businesses that were unable to transition to the digital space due to various constraints.
Dr. Dunn informed that the digital transformation support programme has three core components – digitisation to transition MSMEs from paper-based to electronic information, digitalisation to transform MSME business processes from manual to electronic, and digital transformation to allow MSMEs to leverage technologies to build new business systems.
He noted that this initiative is an important component of a broader EU programme for Jamaica that will include the education and information and communications technology (ICT) sectors.
“We express our gratitude to the EU Delegation to Jamaica for this special support, as well as for their continued assistance to the MSME sector,” he said.