Hill urges MSMEs to gear up for NARA rebuild contracts as Jamaica eyes billions in investment

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Senator Aubyn Hill is urging micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to ready themselves for major openings under the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NARA), forecasting that Jamaica could attract US$6.5 billion to US$20 billion in investment over the next five to seven years.

Speaking at the New Testament Church of God Kingdom Builders Business Expo in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, Hill pressed owners to formalise their businesses and position themselves to supply goods and services tied to forthcoming infrastructure work. He said NARA will supervise contracts worth billions of dollars, opening space for local firms in transport, food supply and other support services.

On the Jamaica Stock Exchange for the July 13, 2026 trading session, Wigton Energy Limited led volume with 5,719,315 units, or 24.8 percent of market activity. TransJamaican Highway Limited followed with 5,443,095 units (23.6 percent), while Sagicor Select Funds Limited — Financial traded 2,388,440 units (10.36 percent). Buying remained focused on transport and finance names, pointing to ongoing demand for dividend-paying and strategic holdings.

Bank of Jamaica foreign-exchange figures for the same date showed active dealing across major currencies. The US dollar sold at J$159.70 and was bought at J$157.63. The Canadian dollar sold at J$113.79 and was bought at J$107.59, a J$6.20 spread. The British pound sold at J$213.96 and was bought at J$209.61, a J$4.35 spread. The moves underline why importers, debtors and firms with overseas exposure need to watch liquidity and timing.

A credit advisory noted that borrowers often fixate on monthly instalments while underplaying the interest rate on credit cards, personal loans or microfinance facilities. Steeper rates raise the total cost of credit, slow balance reduction, push up credit utilisation and can increase the risk of late or missed payments that damage scores. Lower-cost borrowing, by contrast, supports faster repayment and a stronger credit record.

Separately, lenders are deploying artificial intelligence to assess credit risk, cash flow and repayment capacity more quickly, raising the bar for funding readiness. Clear records, defined strategies, measurable results and accurate paperwork matter more in that environment, while entrepreneurs can also use AI to sharpen business plans, projections and funding pitches. Firms that pair preparation with new tools are better placed to win loans, investment and grants.