Commendations on your trailblazing efforts

THE GOVERNMENT of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, has identified the development of the micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) sector as critical for sustainable economic growth and for nation building.

Data from the Tax Administration of Jamaica indicate that MSMEs account for an estimated 97.6 per cent of all registered, classified taxpaying enterprises in Jamaica.

This indicates that, with a population of 2.7 million people, MSMEs play a significant role in Jamaica’s economic and business activities. It is with that in mind that I believe that organisations such as First Union Financial Group Limited are providing great economic value to the GDP of this country, and my ministry is committed to making every effort to support this sector to enable greater innovation, competitiveness, wealth creation, and social stability. I note the impressive growth of First Union over the past 18 years, which had its humble beginnings in a car and now operates from a newly constructed multimilliondollar facility, boasting some 200 employees with the capacity to employ an additional 40 persons.

Indeed, this is testament to the fact that the entrepreneurial spirit in Jamaica is alive and well.

Our wish is that as successful entrepreneurs, First Union, in turn, will empower other small business enterprises by providing them with opportunities for growth as they access the requisite financial services.

On behalf of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, let me therefore commend First Union for its trailblazing efforts to diversify into other industries with their subsidiary entities, namely courier services, office systems/furniture, food manufacturing, real estate development and pest control services, among others.

I wish continued success for the First Union Financial Group as it expands locally and internationally. KARL SAMUDA Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries