Three leading business associations, the Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ), the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Jamaica (YEA), and the MSME Alliance, have agreed to jointly advance a coordinated policy agenda aimed at driving inclusive economic growth and national development.

In a joint press release, the move is being touted as a significant step toward strengthening Jamaica’s micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) ecosystem.

According to the release, the alignment follows strategic deliberations at the Council level and reflects a shared commitment to move beyond fragmented engagement toward a more unified, structured, and results-driven approach to policy advocacy and implementation.

Garnett Reid, President of the Small Business Association of Jamaica, underscored 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 release stated that the collaborative agenda will focus on advancing policy-led initiatives in key areas including public procurement reform, expansion of trade opportunities, and improved access to finance.

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 MSMEs.

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 MSMEs across Jamaica.

The collaboration will operate as a co-convened mechanism rather than a standalone entity, the release stated, adding that it will not be formally named and will not be led by any single organisation or individual.

Instead, 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, according to the press release.

To strengthen strategic coordination and engagement at the highest levels, a Strategic Partner will support the initiative by interfacing with Government, private sector leadership, international partners, and the Diaspora, while advancing alignment and momentum across priority areas. This role will be undertaken by businessman Kevin Frith, who 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 release stated.

The organisations said the collaboration will be guided by clear communication protocols, with all public engagement undertaken jointly, adding that no single organisation or individual will independently represent the group in the media or in official external engagements, ensuring a unified and consistent voice and preserving the integrity of the collective.

The arrangement will be established for an initial period of one year and will be governed by a Memorandum of Understanding outlining governance, communication, and decision-making protocols, the release stated, noting that the unified approach signals a new chapter in MSME representation in Jamaica, one that prioritises collaboration, strategic alignment, and measurable impact, while creating a stronger and more enabling environment for entrepreneurs across the country.