Some 20 micro, small and medium-sized (MSME) businesses will be given the opportunity to sell their products on Amazon, under the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association’s (JMEA) Project Amazon. The entrepreneurs will also receive training through developmental workshops, to prepare them for the intricacies of the opportunity.
This is expected to boost exports and transform entrepreneurship in Jamaica. The Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA), on Wednesday, announced that it will offer training and developmental workshops to twenty micro and small enterprises, subsequently providing them with the opportunity of selling their products on the amazon platform.
The initiative is part of the JMEA’s Project Amazon, which is being endorsed by the Jamaica Development Bank (JDB) and the Exim Bank. Executive Director of JMEA, Kamesha Blake predicts this move to be a beneficial one for the businesses involved, and for Jamaica’s export rate. This timely intervention is seen as a lifeline for most MSME’s, many of which were forced to close. President of the Association, John Mahfood says online exports are the only way to go for micro and small businesses as he notes it is often difficult to score deals for Jamaican branded products to be sold in supermarkets abroad. Mahfood says while there are some businesses and individuals selling on Amazon, the returns are not sufficient because they are not officially part of the Amazon products. Consequently, Project Amazon was launched.
He says the initiative may take time to reap rewards, however, he encourages business owners to remain committed. The initiative along with the partnership with the JDB and Exim Bank are expected to transform the entrepreneurship and MSME landscape in Jamaica.
Reporter: Velonique Bowen
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