Jamaica’s entrepreneurs are being pushed to take a more active role in the public procurement system, a market valued at more than $150 billion last year and widely seen as a gateway to growth for the country’s small businesses.

The Young Entrepreneurs Association (YEA), the Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF), and the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) have teamed up to stage a series of workshops aimed at breaking down the barriers that keep micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) locked out of government contracts. The partnership follows concerns raised in the Jamaica Observer’s April feature, “Locked Out”, which highlighted how complex processes and limited knowledge continue to exclude smaller firms from tapping opportunities in government supply.

The first workshop, held September 25 at JEF’s Kingston offices, drew 38 entrepreneurs. A further 15 have already signed up for the next session on October 3.

“Public procurement is lucrative business, as at least 30 per cent of Jamaica’s annual GDP is spent on government contracts,” said Erica James-King, public relations and public education officer at the PPC. “Last year alone, the PPC endorsed procurement submissions valued at $154.6 billion — almost double the year before. The opportunities are there, but MSMEs must position themselves to take advantage.”

She noted that 959 businesses registered with the PPC in 2024/25, a 10 per cent increase over the previous year. The target for 2025/26 is even higher — a 15 per cent jump in registrations.

The sessions are designed to demystify the process. PPC officials have been walking participants through how to register, what services the Commission provides, and how to navigate procurement thresholds. According to YEA President, Cordell Williams, the organisation has ensured that the programme also addresses the frustrations entrepreneurs face in trying to do business with the state — from long payment timelines to complex paperwork — and keeps the focus on fairer, more transparent access.

JEF President Wayne Chen called procurement reform a national priority.

“Public procurement, valued in the billions annually, is not only a tool for acquiring goods and services — it is a powerful instrument of national development,” he said. “By making procurement processes fair, transparent, and accessible, we strengthen Jamaica’s economic foundations and build a business environment where innovation and efficiency can thrive.”

Chen added that entrepreneurs’ willingness to turn out in numbers is encouraging. “It’s not just about contracts; it’s about building the confidence and capacity of Jamaican businesses to meet the demands of a modern economy,” he said.

For YEA, the push comes down to three priorities — raising awareness of existing opportunities such as the 20 per cent MSME set-aside, building the capacity of entrepreneurs to meet procurement standards, and lobbying for policy changes that reduce red tape.

The Government of Jamaica remains the island’s single largest purchaser of goods and services, spanning everything from furniture for schools to food for hospitals and construction projects. For many small firms, winning even one state contract could mean steady income, scale, and long-term survival.

Organisers of the workshop believe that if more MSMEs can break through, the benefits will ripple across the economy; from job creation to greater wealth generation and stronger local supply chains.

“This is about equipping entrepreneurs to claim their rightful place,” James-King told participants. “The possibilities in public procurement are boundless, and MSMEs should not remain on the margins.”

— Karena Bennett