Jamaica Business Development Corporation

The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) was established in 2001 as the premier government agency providing business development services to Jamaican Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs)... From “Concept to Market”, the JBDC provides guidance for business start-ups and expansion, offering business advice and consultation, research services, business monitoring, training and capacity building, project management services, financial advice, design and product development as well as market penetration support and access.

The JBDC operates from corporate offices in Kingston and satellite locations in Mandeville, Montego Bay, Westmoreland, St. Ann and the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus. Technical support and incubation services for start-ups and established businesses are facilitated through the organization’s Incubator and Resource Centre (IRC) located on Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston. At this location, enterprises in the food processing and food service, fashion and accessories, and gift & craft sectors secure access to specialized technical services and utilize the IRC’s incubator equipment and office facilities as extended support for the creation and manufacture of their product lines. Qualified designers and industrial engineers who constitute a vital part of the JBDC’s team of professionals are integral to the organization’s delivery of technical support services to its clients, in a range of areas such as graphic design, label and packaging design, product concept development, prototyping and packaging. Advice to new business owners in factory layout, production systems planning, energy management and other aspects vital to the creation of sustainable operations is guided by the latest industry specific research and global quality standards.

The JBDC’s marketing support services are delivered through its Things Jamaican retail arm which provides market access and include retailing opportunities that aim to promote and build “Brand Jamaica”. The JBDC has remained committed to the development and promotion of authentic Jamaican products, including handicrafts, eclectic gift lines, specialty foods and spa products, through its unifying ‘Things Jamaican’ umbrella brand, showcasing and retailing the best and highest quality products which Jamaica has to offer. JBDC is one of the largest purchasers, distributors and promoters of authentic Jamaican products, currently marketing brands for over 400 active suppliers island-wide. Its Things Jamaican stores are housed at the historic Devon House and JBDC’s Corporate Offices, and may also be found online at the e-commerce site, www.thingsjamaicanstores.com.