Caribbean News
MSMEs ENCOURAGED TO HELP SHAPE COUNTRY’S DIGITAL FUTURE
KINGSTON, October 25 (JIS): Operators of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are being encouraged to play their part in shaping Jamaica’s digital future.
The call came from Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Harold Davis, who recently participated in the JIS TV programme, ‘Get the Facts’.
“Digital transformation is no longer a nice thing to have; it’s a need to have,” Mr. Davis said, as he outlined the transformative potential of the Digital Jamaica Project, which is set to enhance the country’s digital landscape.
He also emphasised the urgency of digital literacy, availability, and accessibility, noting that to compete globally, Jamaica must embrace a digital future.
“Digital literacy, availability and accessibility are major issues, and basically, the world has become a digital space, so for Jamaica to participate in the global economy, we have to move to have our country digitally enabled,” the Deputy CEO said.
A recent JBDC survey revealed that only 33 per cent of MSMEs are actively utilising digital tools and recognising the benefits of
digitalisation.
“We did a survey to assess the existing situation in our economy for all MSMEs and what we found was that there were varying levels of readiness of our MSMEs,” Mr. Davis noted.
While the figure is a start, he described it as “modest”, as the JBDC aims to raise it to at least 80 per cent.
Mr. Davis further explained that while many MSMEs are present on social media, they often lack comprehensive digital solutions that could enhance their operational processes.
“We also found that not a lot of them use digital solutions to really transform the belly of the organisation in terms of their processes, supply chain management and financial transactions, so we have a little way to go,” he said.
Having analysed the data, the JBDC is committed to increasing the number of MSMEs that leverage digital tools to their advantage.
“The JBDC is about general transformation of your business, making sure that your business moves into this space of being globally competitive. So, the first thing that we do is a robust 360 assessment of your business, as no one size fits all,” Mr. Davis explained.
This assessment involves the JBDC conducting thorough evaluations of businesses to determine whether a viable business model exists, and to ensure that companies are delivering on their value propositions.
If a business is not fulfilling that value proposition, further assessments are conducted to identify unique circumstances and opportunities for digitisation, digitalisation, and overall transformation.
MSMEs are also encouraged to view their digital journey in three phases – digitisation, which focuses on converting analog processes to digital formats; digitalisation, which utilises appropriate tools for e-commerce, supply chain, and human resource management; and digital transformation, which involves a comprehensive overhaul of business models to integrate digital solutions.
“I often say that digital transformation is not so much about the digital but about the transformation of your business,” Mr. Davis reiterated.
For more information about the Digital Jamaica Project and JBDC’s services, persons can visit https://www.jbdc.net/.
CONTACT: SHERIKA WILLIAMS
Caribbean News
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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 6th, 2025) – CaribCon, the Caribbean conference celebrating culture, innovation, and creativity, will welcome some of the region’s most influential voices to its inaugural edition in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The event, set to be a dynamic gathering of thought leaders and cultural icons, will feature impactful panel discussions, inspiring and intimate fireside chats and a flow of knowledge from some of the Caribbean’s brightest and best in the creative sector.
Elizabeth “Lady” Montano
Jamaica’s own Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson, celebrated communications specialist, media personality, and global keynote speaker, will headline CaribCon as the official keynote speaker. Known for her ability to connect authentically and inspire audiences worldwide, Dr. Reid will share her insights on Caribbean identity, storytelling, and the power of representation in shaping global narratives. Another highlight of CaribCon will be the presence of Elizabeth “Lady” Montano, mother and former manager of soca superstar Machel Montano. Lady will launch her award-winning book, King of Soca, in which she is positioned as the ultimate insider, chronicling the evolution of one of the Caribbean’s most iconic entertainers. She will also share her invaluable experiences on nurturing talent, building a brand, and sustaining longevity in the competitive music industry in an intimate fireside chat. Adding further star power to the event is Simon Baptiste, CEO of Question Mark Entertainment, co-founder of ODOS, a global collective network spanning over 1000 professionals in 35 countries, film director, talent manager and creative strategist. Baptiste will bring his expertise to conversations on shaping the region’s creative sector and talent.
Simon Baptiste
“CaribCon is where the Caribbean’s voices, ideas, and creativity converge,” says Omega Simmons, founder of CaribCon and CEO of SOS Media. “Having leaders like Terri Karelle, Lady Montano, and Simon Baptiste share their stories and expertise truly embodies the spirit of this event. Their presence reinforces the power of Caribbean culture to inspire and influence on the world stage.” CaribCon will take place at the Shore Club in Providenciales, the Turks and Caicos Islands, from October 23rd to 26th. Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities, panel discussions, and meaningful dialogue to foster an ecosystem that develops the region’s creative sector and propels it onto the global stage.
Sponsors are:
Signature Experience Partners: Ministry of Tourism, Experience Turks and Caicos, and The Shore Club.
Other sponsors: PPID, Invest TCI, InterCaribbean Airways, Subtronic Sounds, Spotlight Communications.
Hotel partners: Ocean Club Resorts, Waterloo Hotel Management, The Somerset on Grace Bay and Ports of Call Resort.
For more information, tickets, and updates, visit www.caribcon.co or follow @caribconhq on all social media platforms.
For more information please email: contact@caribcon.co
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