PSOJ Workshop-“Creating New Market Opportunities for Small Businesses and Artisanal Enterprises”In May the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica's (PSOJ) Trade Policy Committee series of seminars went on the road, and a trade and export development workshop for small businesses was held on May 20, 2008, at Hibiscus Lodge, Ocho Rios, with the support of the Private Sector Development Programme. The workshop was the second in a series of such training events to be put on by the PSOJ this year, as part of its mandate to enhance the capacity of the business community to respond and adapt to the changing trade environment. The first event for this year was held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on April 21. The objectives of the workshop were:
About fifty persons attended, and 94%, 94%, and 89% respectively, felt that the above objectives of the workshop were met. The attendees were from a variety of backgrounds, including goods producers, service providers, and a range of sub-sectoral business interests. In attendance were Ms. Vana Taylor, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) Area Chair for Ocho Rios and Managing Director of Sunflower Resort & Villas, Runaway Bay Sky Castles, and Ms. Norma Walters, President of the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce and other leading representatives of the St. Ann business community. Persons from the craft industry also attended the workshop. Lisa Callender, Director/Principal Consultant of Innovative Project Solutions, conducted the workshop which covered product development, branding, building linkages with tourism, and export marketing. This was another successful PSOJ event which was well received by the St. Ann business community. The outline of the workshop presentation can be read here. Pictures from the workshop:
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PSOJ Seminar – "Export Development and Financing for Small and Medium Enterprises"A successful seminar on export development and financing was held on April 21 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, organized by the PSOJ’s Department of Research and Financial Services, which was partially funded by the Private Sector Development Programme. Jamaica National Building Society also contributed to the funding of the event. The seminar looked at issues related to growing a small business, getting into exporting, market opportunities, practical experiences of exporting, trade agreements and market access. There were also presentations on available incentives for businesses, financing and financial management.
From left to right: Dr. Meredith Derby, Small Businesses Association of Jamaica, Mrs. Sandra Glasgow, CEO, Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, Dr. Andre Gordon, Managing Director, Technology Solutions Limited, Mr. Robert Kerr, Manager, Investment Support Services, Jamaica Trade and Invest, and Mr. Dalma James, Partner, Dalma James and Associates The meeting was chaired by Dr. Meredith Derby of the Small Businesses Association of Jamaica. The speakers were Dr. Andre Gordon, Managing Director of Technology Solutions Limited and former president of the Jamaica Exporters Association, Mr. Robert Kerr, Manager, Investment Support Services, Jamaica Trade and Invest, Mr. Charles Lewis, Chief Credit Officer of the National Export-Import Bank of Jamaica, Mrs. Thelma Young, Credit Manager, JN Small Business Loans Ltd., and Mr. Dalma James of the Small Businesses Association of Jamaica. There were 82 attendees, and the satisfaction rating was 98 per cent. Some of the presentations: Incentives Available for Exporters Financial Management for Small Businesses
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