With four parishes already covered, the Mobile Business Clinic Initiative (MBCI) currently being implemented by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) has moved to St Elizabeth. The fifth clinic of the first phase of the project started yesterday at the St Matthews' Anglican Church in Santa Cruz and ends today.

So far, just over 1,000 MSMEs have been impacted by the clinic in St James, Westmoreland, Hanover and Manchester.

The MBCI gives an equal opportunity to entrepreneurs and business owners to engage in workshops, live discussions and networking activities that will assist them in maintaining, growing and developing effective businesses and business ideas.

Over a two-day period, agencies such as Rural Agricultural Develop-ment Agency (RADA), Self-Start Fund, the Bureau of Standards Jamaica, Jamaica Logistics Hub Secretariat and the Jamaica Intellectual Property

Office (JIPO) will host one-on-one sessions with patrons, providing advise according to their specific needs.

The clinic includes a series of workshops on specific topics informed by a needs assessment, conducted prior to interventions in each parish.

Other critical agencies such as the Companies Office of Jamaica and Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) have also provided invaluable input to the clinics.

The public/private sector initiative is jointly sponsored by the National Commercial Bank (NCB), Fidelity Motors, Columbus Business Solutions and the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA).

Other public sector partners include Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), Fair Trading Commission (FTC), the Trade Board, Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC), Food Safety & Prevention of Infestation Division (FSPID), Jamaica Promotions Corp-oration (JAMPRO), and the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC).