Businesses should not be expecting free cash, but with this crisis it is the small businesses that, to a great extent, will contribute to jump-starting the economy when we are over this pandemic.

Of the funding the Government is putting into the various stimulus packages announced earlier, a portion could be transferred to the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) for other registered small businesses/partners. This emergency funding will assist with working capital and bridging cash flow needs during this time. For the participants/entities in good standing, the method is to make available to DBJ funding $2 billion to un-lend to affiliates/companies/enterprises at a reduced rate (3 per cent per annum) which would fall in line with present practices of the DBJ.

This will not require creating any new modus operandi, as it would fit into the DBJ’s present operational requirements. The multiplier effect of this would be well worth the investment, given the pass-through to the small business sector. This will supplement the other measures already announced by the Government.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business-observer/s_196170