Photo: Dr. David Lowe, Managing Director of the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ)
The Development Bank of Jamaica’s (DBJ) M5 business recovery programme, aimed at supporting enterprises affected by Hurricane Melissa, will be launched in the 2026/27 fiscal year.
The intervention is intended to restore operations, rebuild capacity, and sustain enterprise continuity following the passage of the hurricane.
Grants, concessional loans, and blended financing will be provided through partnerships with Approved Financial Institutions (AFIs) and Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) to ensure broad reach, operational efficiency, and timely support.
Four key sectors are being targeted –agriculture, manufacturing and agro-processing, tourism, and health.
The information is contained in the Jamaica Public Bodies Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the Year Ending March 2027, which was tabled in the House of Representatives on February 12.
Also during the new financial year, the DBJ plans to advance the enterprise growth strategy by accelerating the scaling, expansion, and long-term sustainability of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through loans, grants, equity financing, capacity building and strategic public-private partnerships.
“MSMEs will be supported by stakeholders and partners through structured growth paths and tailored interventions at each stage of their development,” the document said.
Focus will also be placed on facilitating private investment in government-owned assets through public-private partnerships and privatisations, prioritising strategic capital investments to boost recovery and reconstruction, productivity, economic resilience, and long-term development.
“Key sectors aligned with the government of Jamaica priorities include water and sanitation, renewable energy, education, transportation and logistics, housing, health, and justice,” the document stated.
The DBJ will also collaborate with regional partners on opportunities in financing, sustainable development initiatives through resource mobilisation, market development and trade, and strengthening inter-institutional linkages.
Regional efforts will focus on climate resilience, energy transition, sustainable infrastructure, logistics, technology and digital transition, and agriculture and food security.
The Bank’s initiatives should result in total investments of approximately $33.61 billion and loan disbursements valued at $7.1billion.
By: , JIS