KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) says activities planned for its Small Business Expo and Conference are intended to impact economic development by empowering entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.

Manager for Business Advisory Services, JBDC, Althea West-Myers, said the expo will provide business persons with information “to help them make the link and bridge the gap between how their businesses impacts personal as well as national growth”.“The expo is specifically focused on growing businesses, because the progress of these businesses will be the dividends that grow our economy. This starts from having the entrepreneurial mindset; entrepreneurs have to have a particular way of thinking in order to achieve any growth,” she noted.“It will also speak about the systems that are going to allow the growth, and how the Government facilitates the process by bringing in the experts, who have the know-how,” she added.The JBDC expo is slated for tomorrow at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston under the theme ‘Think Big. Scale Up. Go Global’.The event is intended to enhance the sustainable and consistent development of micro, small and medium-size enterprise (MSME) sector in Jamaica, which is a key driver of employment and growth. The occasion will also give entrepreneurs a chance to interact with exhibitors and business owners. Manager, Financial Support Services Unit at the JBDC, Melissa Bennett, who also addressed the Think Tank, said financing will be a critical area of focus.“We will be giving an overview on financial literacy, financial management and facilitating access,” she informed.“They will be better able to understand and analyse their numbers and make projections based on what your bottom line is,” she shared.She informed that participants will be coached on how to seek appropriate funding.