Medium-sized businesses will be the Government’s next major priority as Jamaica moves from emergency response to long-term recovery following Hurricane Melissa. 

That’s the assurance from Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Senator Aubyn Hill, who said the country must help “the people in the middle” rebuild if the wider economy is to stabilise.

Speaking on Taking Stock with Kalilah Reynolds, Hill stressed that while small shops in the hardest-hit western parishes have received immediate support, mainly through generators and help repairing damaged roofs, the Government is now shifting its focus. 

“Our next phase is going to be, of course, slightly bigger businesses that have different and larger needs,” he said.

Hurricane Melissa dealt a blow not only to firms facing physical damage but also to those experiencing sharp declines in revenue after weeks of cancelled events and disrupted supply chains. 

Hill noted that many medium-sized operators who once ran well-established shops are now struggling with destroyed infrastructure and a lack of working capital.

“They need some help to get that back,” he said, adding that a new framework is being designed so businesses can clearly see what assistance is available.

He confirmed that the Government is moving toward a system that will offer both grants for urgent recovery and access to new financing streams. Hill said a cross-ministry team is working to ensure the process is structured, transparent and fast, despite the constraints of public-sector procurement rules.

Underlying the push, he said, is the need to restart economic activity as quickly as possible.

“We don’t want to keep on giving care packages to people. They must get back into commerce,” Hill emphasised. 

Returning businesses to operation, he added, will rebuild the supply chain, support employment and restore government revenues needed to manage the broader recovery effort.