Fayval Williams details Jamaica micro stock market rules as CDB launches Propel

Finance Minister Fayval Williams has set out how Jamaica’s newly launched micro stock market will let micro, small and medium-sized enterprises raise equity of between $50 million and $100 million, telling Parliament that 25 firms that completed the Jamaica Business Development Corporation Accelerator programme are already lined up as leading candidates.

In her statement yesterday, Williams said those businesses have shown the operational discipline and growth readiness needed for the platform. Listings will require at least 20 per cent public shareholding and at least 50 new shareholders, including the sponsor. Micro companies linked to junior- and main-market issuers may also list, a step meant to strengthen sponsor-backed supply chains.

Governance and disclosure rules are lighter than on larger boards: micro issuers need an audit committee separate from the board; must file unaudited half-year accounts within 60 days; audited full-year statements within 90 days; and an annual report within 120 days of year-end. Once capital reaches the $100 million threshold, they must move to the junior market. Williams said the government and the Jamaica Stock Exchange are using the structured platform to widen financial inclusion and spur growth among smaller firms.

Separately, the Caribbean Development Bank launched CDB Propel, an expanded technical-assistance programme for Caribbean MSMEs, on World MSME Day. The initiative builds on the Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services Network, which has backed entrepreneurs and business-support groups for more than 40 years. A launch panel with partners and beneficiaries from Barbados, Jamaica and Haiti described gains in institutional capacity, youth entrepreneurship, access to finance, tourism competitiveness and climate innovation.

On the Jamaica Stock Exchange for July 7, 2026, TransJamaica Highway Limited led volume with 7,150,450 units, or 25.91 per cent of market activity, followed by 138 Student Living Jamaica Limited with 7,043,960 units (25.53 per cent) and Carreras Limited with 2,698,284 units (9.78 per cent). Trading stayed concentrated in real estate, transport and distribution.

Bank of Jamaica data showed the US dollar selling at $159.54 and buying at $157.42. The Canadian dollar sold at $112.98 and bought at $112.65 across 33 transaction spreads. The British pound sold at $213.69, with banks recording a $4.64 trading margin.

The broadcast also urged households and entrepreneurs to treat credit strength as a core resilience tool in an inflationary climate, and advised owners seeking capital to show financial discipline, a solid credit record, clear direction, growth potential and lower risk through compliance, sound management and good governance.