SBA and Government Collaborate on Promoting Small Business Expansion to Global Markets, Including Africa, with Online Portal in the Works

Government and the Small Business Association (SBA) are aligned in seeing the sector take its products and services to a global market, inclusive of the African continent.

And Minister with responsibility for Energy and Business Lisa Cummins on Friday announced plans to establish an online portal by year end to share business opportunities with small and medium sized firms.

The disclosure by Cummins and commitment by the chief executive officer of the Small Business Association (SBA) Dr Lynette Holder, to have a growing focus on Africa and international markets came at the launch of the 21st Small Business Association’s week of activities at Cable & Wireless’ offices at Windsor Lodge, St Michael.

Cummins said one of the approaches from small businesses was the need to connect business with emerging opportunities.

“There are so many opportunities emerging,” she said in delivering the feature address.

Cummins described the coming online portal as a business-needs network to connect small and medium sized entrepreneurs and businesses with business opportunities. This would come in areas such as tourism, renewable energy, the wider energy sector and the cottage industry.

“We hope to have it (the portal) up by the end of this year,” she stated.

Holder lauded main sponsor FLOW Business and others for their support for

the business week. She reported that in its “coming of age” week of activities, the SBA attracted a record number of sponsors.

Among those highlighted were Lagosbased Nigerian finance firm Fiducia and Holder said they were looking to build capacity for export for members as well as provide them with financing to export to Africa.

The evening also featured a handover of a $12 000 cheque from the association to two organisations associated with supporting the needy with backto- school supplies. Representatives of Bank Hall New Testament Church of God and Women of Excellence and Empowerment Ministries formally received the donations.

(HH)