JSE micro market opens as minister backs capital access for small firms

Industry Minister Senator Aubyn Hill has welcomed the Jamaica Stock Exchange's new micro market, describing it as a major step toward widening capital access for the island's smallest businesses.

Speaking at the launch ceremony at the Terra Nova Hotel in St. Andrew, Hill said the platform is designed to bridge a long-standing financing gap for micro enterprises seeking to grow and compete. He noted that many Jamaican manufacturers, agro-processors, and small exporters have called for greater access to financing, and said the micro market provides a regulated avenue for raising equity capital.

The minister encouraged entrepreneurs to familiarise themselves with listing requirements, strengthen corporate governance, and position their businesses to participate. He also praised the Jamaica Stock Exchange for the discipline and vision required to transform the concept into a listing-ready platform. The market offers companies seeking between J$50 million and J$100 million a pathway to equity financing, with sponsors and mentors guiding businesses and investors while creating a route for successful firms to graduate to the junior market. Hill said the micro market strengthens Jamaica's financial infrastructure and can help promising small businesses secure capital to expand, create jobs, and support long-term economic growth.

New research presented by Trinidad-based customer experience consultancy eXperience Co found that more than half of Jamaican consumers are willing to pay more for imported products when the customer experience is superior. The study showed 53% of Jamaican consumers would willingly spend more on imported goods even when comparable local alternatives are available if they receive a better overall experience. Across the wider Caribbean, 51% of consumers said they would rather shop online with overseas retailers because of the experience they receive.

Presenting the findings at the Caribbean Customer Experience Summit in Kingston, eXperience Co partner Chelsea Costello told Our Today the data should serve as a wake-up call for Caribbean businesses. The results formed part of the firm's sixth annual summit, held at the AC Hotel in Kingston and staged in Jamaica for the first time. eXperience Co founder Shasha Thompson said the company was bringing five years of regional customer experience research to Jamaican business leaders at a time when consumer expectations are changing rapidly.

For the trading period of July 2, 2026, Supreme Ventures Limited was the most actively traded security with 2,397,905 units, representing 15.02% of market sales activity. R.A. Williams Distributors Limited followed with 2,210,833 units, or 13.85%, and Massy Holdings Limited recorded 1,620,380 units, or 10.15%. Investor activity remained concentrated in gaming and distribution plays, signalling continued interest in dividend-producing and strategic assets.

On the foreign exchange market, Bank of Jamaica data for July 2, 2026, showed strong demand across major currencies. The US dollar sold at J$159.37 and was bought at J$157.27. The Canadian dollar sold at J$112.49 and was bought at J$111.60. The British pound sold at J$211.34 and was bought at J$210.48.

The report also noted that rising living costs can quietly affect credit scores when households rely on borrowing to cover everyday expenses rather than assets, education, or business growth. It stressed prioritising on-time payments, building a modest emergency reserve, and avoiding new debt taken only to sustain current consumption.