OVER 100 entrepreneurs are scheduled to attend the National Commercial Bank Jamaica (NCB) Limited second biennial small and medium enterprise (SME) Conference in Montego Bay, St James, later today.

The conference, which kicked off last Friday at Secrets Resort and Spa, follows the footsteps of the successful first staging in 2013. The event is aimed at increasing financing to the SMEs to facilitate increased economic growth and strengthen capacity to access financing from various sources, including commercial banks, private equity and venture capital funds.

Senior General Manager for Retail Banking at NCB, Audrey Tugwell Henry, said the conference is part of NCB’s continued commitment and unwavering support to Jamaica’s SMEs.

“NCB continues to strategically focus on SMEs as a key business segment, while supporting the national socio-economic developmental objectives. The conference has been heavily subsidised by NCB so the SMEs could affordably access it,” she said.

The general manager indicated that from the 2013 pool of SMEs, 80 participated in a two-day intensive boot camp with renowned ActionCOACH CEO Marcia Woon Choy. An additional 20 were selected to participate in an eight-month intensive business training programme funded by NCB and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

“Each participant has since reported significant growth in their revenues and profits based on the tools, knowledge and network accessed through the programme. A select number of participants also went on to participate in the inaugural season of NCB’s Capital Quest and received significant publicity and additional growth for their businesses,” she said.

The second hosting will include hands-on workshops and interactive sessions to help entrepreneurs to seize global opportunities and to increase productivity and sales through technology and e-commerce, among other areas. From the pool of participants this year, some will be further selected for additional capacity-building interventions funded by NCB.

Conference participants will get a chance to interact with a host of top local and internationally acclaimed industry experts who will share their vast knowledge and experience with SMEs.

The three-day event includes keynote speaker Randal Pinkett, chairman and chief executive officer of BCT Partners and winner of NBC’s The Apprentice.

Other specially invited guests include Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce Anthony Hylton; Minister of Finance and Planning, Peter Phillips; Valerie Viera, chief executive officer, Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC); Brian Pengelley, president of the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association; William Mahfood, president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica; and Milverton Reynolds, managing director, Development Bank of Jamaica.