Mon | Mar 30, 2026

SBAJ launches task force to boost SME access to government contracts

Published:Monday | March 30, 2026 | 12:08 PM
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Small Business Association of Jamaica Company Secretary Kevin Frith, who will head the newly established Procurement Task Force aimed at improving SME access to government procurement opportunities. (Contributed photo)
Small Business Association of Jamaica Company Secretary Kevin Frith, who will head the newly established Procurement Task Force aimed at improving SME access to government procurement opportunities. (Contributed photo)
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The Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) has announced the establishment of a Procurement Task Force aimed at strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises’ participation in government procurement processes.

The announcement was made following the association’s Public Procurement Meeting held last Thursday, March 26, 2026, which brought together stakeholders from the public and private sectors to discuss access to procurement opportunities for MSMEs.

The new task force will be headed by SBAJ Company Secretary Kevin Frith and will serve as an interface between the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), the Government of Jamaica, and SBAJ members, the association said in a statement on Monday.

The President of the SBAJ, Garnett Reid, said the the initiative represents a strategic step toward ensuring that SMEs are better positioned to compete, grow, and contribute meaningfully to

national development.

“The formation of this Task Force underscores our commitment to bridging the gap between policy and participation. We want to ensure that our members are not only informed but also

equipped and supported to access real opportunities,” Reid stated.

Finance Minister Fayval Williams had highlighted the meeting during her 2026/27 Budget Debate presentation, urging small business owners to take advantage of the opportunity to access government procurement.

She said the programme forms part of wider efforts to ensure that “a company does not have to be big to bid,” adding that small contractors and start-ups should be able to compete for government work within their capacity.

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