Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Karl Samuda says the Micro and Small Business Sector remains a viable industry, despite other claims by some stakeholders.

The Minister was addressing a seminar on small and medium enterprise development, today (September 8) at the Knutsford Court Hotel, in Kingston.

Mr. Samuda explained that today’s event, the final of a two part seminar put on by the Japan International Co-Operation Agency and the Ministry, could be viewed as the commencement of a revitalization of the sector.

The Minister said he was encouraged by those who are prepared to confront the issues and to bring about change in how they do business.

He added that greater creativeness and innovativeness must be adopted in order ensure that the small business sector thrives.

Emphasizing that  innovation is at the root of success,  the Minister said the sector needs to look at  creating new products and techniques, offering better services with new ideas and accepting applied technology from more developed countries like Japan.

He noted that the adaptation of these and other tools could make Jamaica more competitive, and be able to take its rightful place in the areas of craft development and small niche markets of the world.