The Government is preparing to host a major public meeting aimed at helping small businesses secure State contracts as part of a wider push to open up procurement opportunities and deepen participation in Jamaica’s economy.

The initiative, announced by Finance Minister Fayval Williams as she closed the 2026/27 Budget Debate on Tuesday, is intended to demystify the Government procurement process and equip small and medium-sized enterprises with the knowledge and tools needed to compete for public sector work.

Williams said the move forms part of a broader strategy to ensure that more Jamaican businesses can benefit from the billions of dollars in Government spending each year, particularly as the country accelerates reconstruction and infrastructure projects in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa that ravaged sections of the island on October 28, 2025.

“The meeting is designed to help entrepreneurs understand and access Government procurement opportunities. The public meeting will show our entrepreneurs how to qualify. They will hear about registration and compliance and they will hear directly from the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service; the Public Procurement Commission; the Development Bank of Jamaica; Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Aubyn Hill; and the Small Business Association,” she said.

Williams announced that the meeting, being hosted by the Public Procurement Commission, is scheduled for March 26 at 1:00 pm and will be held at the EXIM Bank’s meeting room.

“We are calling on all micro enterprises with an annual turnover below $15 million and small businesses with turnover between $15 million and $75 million to learn about the Government’s procurement process. This is a big deal,” she said.

Williams also indicated that many small businesses remain on the outside of the procurement system, not necessarily because of a lack of capability, but due to limited understanding of how the process works, including bidding requirements, compliance standards, and evaluation criteria.

The planned public engagement, she said, will focus on breaking down those barriers, providing practical guidance on how to register, submit bids, and meet the standards required to win contracts.

The push comes at a time when the Government is ramping up spending on infrastructure, housing, and recovery efforts following the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Melissa. And, with billions of dollars expected to flow through public contracts, the Administration is seeking to ensure that a greater share of that spending reaches local enterprises.

Williams framed the initiative as both an economic and social intervention, arguing that expanding access to procurement can stimulate growth, create jobs, and strengthen the domestic private sector.

In that regard, Williams also pointed to the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) as an avenue for business expansion, encouraging more small companies to consider listing as a means of raising capital and scaling their operations.

Therefore, she announced the introduction of a new Stock Market Sandbox , designed to create a controlled space where small and growing companies can test entry into the capital markets before formally listing.

“This is a simulated market environment designed to prepare businesses for the realities of operating as a publicly listed entity. The sandbox will expose prospective companies to the reporting obligations, corporate governance standards, and regulatory expectations they will face once listed. This Stock Market Sandbox is set to begin on April 17, 2026 for companies that want to list but have questions about the process,” said Williams.

The sandbox, she explained, is intended to lower the barriers to entry for smaller firms that may have the potential to scale but lack the experience or readiness to immediately participate in the formal stock exchange.

By creating this transitional space, Williams said the Government is seeking to build a stronger pipeline of companies capable of eventually listing on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and accessing long-term capital.

She noted that the initiative complements efforts to integrate small businesses more deeply into the formal economy, particularly as they gain experience through Government procurement opportunities.

“This is about preparing our businesses, not just to participate in contracts, but to grow, expand, and access capital in a structured way,” she noted.