Jamaican MSME Associations Form Unified Coalition for Policy Reform

Three prominent Jamaican business associations, the Small Business Association of Jamaica, the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Jamaica, and the MSME Alliance, have officially united to advance a coordinated policy agenda. This partnership is designed to foster inclusive economic growth and national development by moving away from fragmented advocacy toward a more structured, results-driven approach. The alignment follows strategic deliberations at the council level, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening the national micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise ecosystem.

Garnett Reid, President of the Small Business Association of Jamaica, stated that unity strengthens the voice of the MSME sector and enhances its ability to advocate for practical, results-oriented solutions, particularly in areas such as access to finance and participation in public procurement opportunities. The collaborative agenda will prioritize policy-led initiatives including public procurement reform, the expansion of trade opportunities, and improved access to financial resources. Cordell Williams, President of the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Jamaica, noted that this collaboration represents a shift toward greater impact and intentionality in how MSME advocacy is approached, emphasising that by working together, the organisations are better positioned to combine insights, strengthen engagement, and deliver solutions that are responsive to the real challenges faced by entrepreneurs.

Antoinette Hamilton, President of the MSME Alliance, emphasised that alignment at this level creates a stronger and more coordinated platform for engagement, enabling more effective dialogue with stakeholders and a clearer pathway for addressing systemic challenges affecting MSM

Es. By leveraging the collective strength, networks, and perspectives of the three organisations, the initiative is expected to deliver more coherent, data-driven, and impactful outcomes for MSM

Es across Jamaica. The collaboration will operate as a co-convened mechanism rather than a standalone entity, and it will not be formally named or led by any single organisation. The three associations will jointly convene on a monthly basis, with additional stakeholders invited as necessary to support specific areas of focus.

A steering committee will guide the process, comprising the presidents of each organisation or their designate, along with immediate past presidents or their nominees and one additional representative from each organisation. Each organisation will hold one vote, ensuring equity, shared ownership, and balanced decision making. To strengthen strategic coordination at the highest levels, businessman Kevin Frith will serve as a strategic partner, interfacing with government, private sector leadership, international partners, and the diaspora.

Frith noted that meaningful progress will depend on effectively bridging stakeholders, aligning national and international interests, and translating collaboration into tangible, results-driven outcomes, ultimately moving entrepreneurs and the economy forward. The organisations have established clear communication protocols, requiring all public engagement to be undertaken jointly to ensure a consistent voice. The arrangement is governed by a memorandum of understanding for an initial period of one year.