KINGSTON, Jamaica — A new collaborative effort between Jamaica’s top planning agency and a local private foundation is set to unlock growth potential for small community-based businesses across the island, launching a three-year pilot study designed to strengthen Jamaica’s entire micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) ecosystem.
The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Honey Bun Foundation formalized their partnership with a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) on April 30, marking the official start of the public-private partnership (PPP) focused on targeted support for under-resourced community enterprises. In an official statement released Wednesday, PIOJ outlined the core scope of the ambitious new project.
Over the course of the pilot, the partnership will track the growth and development of 50 nano, micro, small and medium enterprises selected through the government’s Community Renewal Programme (CRP). All selected businesses have been identified as requiring customized support to scale their operations, connect to critical industry resources, and build a competitive edge within Jamaica’s fast-evolving MSME landscape.
Beyond direct support to the 50 pilot enterprises, the initiative will also conduct a comprehensive mapping of Jamaica’s national entrepreneurial ecosystem. This landscape analysis is designed to give business owners clearer guidance at every stage of their company’s development, cutting through bureaucratic and logistical friction to accelerate sustainable growth.
All monitoring, data analysis and ecosystem mapping will be carried out using The GAPP App, the Honey Bun Foundation’s proprietary business diagnostic platform. Currently, the application helps small and nano enterprises identify operational gaps in their workflows and connect owners to tailored support services. For this pilot project, the tool will be updated with new functionality to pinpoint where each participating business falls within the standard business life cycle.
Dr. Wayne Henry, Director General of the PIOJ, explained that understanding a business’s position in its life cycle is a foundational step for delivering targeted, effective support. “It is recognised that if we are to provide targeted support to these community businesses, understanding the stages in the business life cycle is necessary and significant, as it allows for proactive risk management, optimised funding strategies and effective strategic planning,” Henry said.
He emphasized that the cross-sector collaboration aligns with core missions of both organizations: building an enabling, accessible business environment that empowers MSME owners to unlock their full potential. “This collaboration between the PIOJ and the Honey Bun Foundation is vital and is being executed within the context of both entities’ defined roles to create an enabling business environment that will empower the MSME sector and position it to continue contributing to the growth of the Jamaican economy,” Henry added.
Michelle Chong, founder of the Honey Bun Foundation, echoed the sentiment, highlighting that strategic public-private collaboration is a key driver of inclusive national development. “Through strategic partnerships, innovation and a strong community focus, we can create sustainable pathways for entrepreneurs to thrive,” Chong said. “This initiative is about equipping businesses with the tools, guidance and opportunities they need to grow, compete and contribute meaningfully to Jamaica’s economic future.”