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Mobile business clinic completes 13 stops

Published:Friday | August 5, 2016 | 12:00 AM
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Corporate communications manager at the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Kenisha Nooks, tries one of the rings created by jewellery designer Natola Campbell (left) in Hanover during the JBDC's Mobile Business Clinic in Lucea. Hanover.
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Several agencies, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry Investment and Commerce, were on site at the Mobile Business Clinic Initiative held on the grounds of the National Commercial Bank in Mandeville from March 24 - 26, 2015
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Participants in the Mobile Business Clinic held in May Pen, Clarendon, last September, complete forms to register their businesses.
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Then Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Anthony Hylton (third right) cutting the ribbon symbolising the official launch of the mobile business clinic initiative at the National Commercial Bank Wellness Centre in Kingston on September 16, 2014. Others sharing in the moment (from left) were chairman, Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Silburn Clarke; Marketing and Sales manager, Fidelity Motors, Leslie Nembhard; Chief Executive Officer, JBDC, Valerie Veira; Senior General Manager, Retail Banking Division, National Commercial Bank, Audrey Tugwell-Henry (partly hidden); and then Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams.
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In September 2014, the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), mandated by the Ministry of Industry, Investment & Commerce (MIIC), launched the Mobile Business Clinic Initiative (MBCI) under the theme ‘Strengthening the Capacity of Jamaican MSMEs’.

The initiative, which involves both the public and private sector, has as its main objective the “decentralisation of business development services”. This means that through the project, entrepreneurs from across the island, across industries and in particular new industries were provided with easy access to business development support services over a one-year period.

The MBCI was executed in major towns and remote communities across Jamaica, utilising a mobile unit sponsored by Fidelity Motors and with the participation of 15 government ministries, departments and agencies, along with lead support from the National Commercial Bank (NCB).

Logistics hub

Services that were offered included financial consultation, technology innovations, business advice, consultation and formalisation, logistics hub training, standards and certification, and business modelling.

After 13 clinics crossing the island the initiative has impacted approximately 2,199 entrepreneurs. The clinics were implemented through a mixture of one-on-one consultations, workshops and seminars. Clients were also invited to participate in future developmental programmes including business mentorship and hand holding programmes offered by the JBDC.

The general feedback from attendees and exhibitors has been positive, with recommendations for improvements for going forward. Participating partners included NCB, Nissan, Columbus Business Solutions (FLOW), JAMPRO, Companies Office of Jamaica, Jamaica Logistics Hub Secretariat, Food Safety & Prevention of Infestation Division, Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC), Consumer Affairs Commission, Development Bank of Jamaica, Tax Administration Jamaica, Tax Administration Jamaica The Gleaner and Irie FM.