Gov’t pushing to increase number of MSMEs participating in government procurement

ROSE HALL, St James — More than 600 micro, small and medium-size enterprises (MSMEs) have secured government contracts valued at $3.2 billion over the past three years, that the Government says highlights the success of its Public Procurement (Set-Asides) Framework which pushes to connect small businesses with lucrative public sector opportunities.

Speaking at Friday’s launch of the MSME Procurement Integration Project at Iberostar Hotels and Resorts in St James, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Sancia Bennett Templer said the Government is now building on that momentum with the introduction of an MSME Procurement Registry which is expected to simplify access to public sector contracts and expand participation by small businesses.

“In the last three years, more than 600 Jamaican MSMEs were awarded government contracts across 100 industries for a combined $3.2 billion in business. That is why we are here today, because we want to build on this impressive start to substantially increase the number of MSMEs participating in government procurement,” Bennett Templer said.

She described public procurement as more than the purchase of goods and services, calling it “a policy tool for national transformation” that can stimulate business growth, create jobs, and strengthen the economy.

Bennett Templer underscored that Jamaica’s policy of reserving 20 per cent of public procurement opportunities for MSMEs is creating new avenues for entrepreneurs, adding that the ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service and the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) to ensure the programme reaches more eligible businesses.

Executive director of the Public Procurement Commission, Nadia Morris, bringing remarks at the launch of the micro, small and medium-size enterprises Procurement Integration Project at Iberostar Hotels and Resorts in St James on Friday. Horace Hines

She also highlighted the ministry’s broader support for the sector through more than 75 business development services delivered by its portfolio agencies. Among them, the Jamaica Business Development Corporation has already trained 130 entrepreneurs in Manchester, St James and Kingston to navigate the government procurement process and continue the programme in partnership with the PPC.

The permanent secretary also announced the return of the ministry’s MSME Business Roadshows across the island, with the PPC joining the initiative to provide entrepreneurs with direct access to government support services.

In reference to Friday’s launch, executive director of the PPC, Nadia Morris said the integration project is designed to remove barriers that have traditionally limited MSME participation in government contracting.

She said the initiative will simplify supplier registration, establish a verified database of MSME suppliers, provide procurement readiness training, and strengthen monitoring of the Public Procurement Set-Asides Order to ensure eligible businesses benefit from the policy.

“The event is a manifestation of the collaborative, enthusiastic, and targeted efforts of the PPC, public sector and private sector stakeholders, including our micro, small, and medium-size enterprises. Of note is that Jamaica Small Business Growth Consortium — which is a task force comprising the Small Business Association of Jamaica, the MSME Alliance, and the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Jamaica — [has] helped to inspire and shape this MSME procurement integration project,” Morris said.

Managing director of the Development Bank of Jamaica, Dr David Lowe delivering remarks at launch of the micro, small and medium-size enterprises Procurement Integration Project at Iberostar Hotels and Resorts in St James on Friday. Horace Hines

She announced that the PPC will officially launch its Registry of Verified MSME Suppliers on July 30, describing it as a significant step towards ensuring that procuring entities can more easily identify qualified MSMEs for contracts reserved under the 20 per cent set-aside programme.

Meanwhile, managing director of the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), Dr David Lowe also underscored that expanding MSME participation in public procurement is about much more than winning contracts, noting that it will help businesses grow, strengthen local supply chains, and create jobs.

Lowe stressed that access to procurement opportunities must be matched by access to financing and strong business management. He said the DBJ will use nationwide roadshows to connect entrepreneurs with financing solutions, including its credit enhancement programme which helps businesses secure loans by reducing collateral requirements.

He disclosed that of the $2 billion allocated by the Government for the bank’s business recovery programme, $846 million has already been disbursed to entrepreneurs, with additional support initiatives expected to be rolled out in the coming months.

“[Some] $846 million has been actually distributed and in the hands of entrepreneurs through the process. Real numbers, real businesses, real people. But there’s still so much more to do, and we’ll be committed to doing that,” Lowe announced.