MONTEGO BAY, St James – The Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) will, for the first time in its 31-year history, hold its annual exposition in Montego Bay this year.

The expo, which is being held under the theme “empowering small businesses” is to be held during the week of November 20 at the Montego Bay civic centre.

“We are really excited about the event and we are confident that it will be beneficial to the small business sector members as well as the buyers,” president of the organisation’s Montego Bay chapter Doris Parchment told the Observer.

She added that the expo would highlight the contributions of the small business sector to the island’s development over the years while more than 30 exhibitors display a wide range of goods and services.

Speakers at this year’s event will include the CEO of Capital and Credit Merchant Bank Ryland Campbell, who is also chairman of the National Development Fund (NDF).

According to Parchment, Campbell is expected to announce major initiatives to benefit small businesses, particularly in the area of finance.

Other speakers are marketing executive Theo Chambers, who will speak on the importance of marketing a small business, and Natasha Parchment-Clarke of the Training Tree. Parchment-Clarke will speak on the benefits of networking. A Panel discussion on “financing the small business sector” is also to form part of the activities at the expo.

– cummingsm@jamaicaobserver.com