Chairman of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Dr Wayne Henry, says the agency, in partnership with the Rural Economic Development Initiative, Phase II (REDI II), has been responding to the recovery efforts of small agricultural and community tourism enterprises left vulnerable by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At a handover ceremony of COVID-19-resilient supplies to operators in both sectors at Grizzly’s Plantation Cove, Richmond Estate, St Ann, on January 28, the JSIF announced a $52.4-million investment to bring further support to these small community enterprises.

This will be executed under the COVID-19 Resilience and Capacity Building subproject of REDI II, which is being funded by the World Bank.

Speaking at the event, Henry said this investment seeks to address public health within the sectors in order to curtail the ill effects of the pandemic, thus improving the livelihoods of small entrepreneurs.

“We at JSIF are elated to make a difference in people’s lives, as we are cognisant that the rural population depends overwhelmingly on agriculture and community tourism for their livelihoods,” said Henry.

“So, although we are currently faced with unprecedented economic challenges, there is hope for these sectors, which we heavily rely on for the revitalisation of the economy,” he added.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20210202/growth-jobs-jsif-assists-small-enterprise-recovery