One of the DBJ’s roles is to provide access to funding for MSMEs which are the target group for this product. Therefore, your business can benefit from the CEF if you:
- Are earning less than $425 million in gross annual sales
- Are registered as a sole trader, partnership, limited liability company or with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA)
- Have access to a valid Tax Compliant Letter (TCL)
- Are operating in the traditional or emerging sectors
- Are operating legally and in an environmentally-sound manner
- Are socially responsible
The CEF is also for your business if it contributes to the local economy through
- Job creation
- Foreign exchange earnings
- Promoting linkages
- Assisting the development of new industries
- Compliance with social and environmental regulations
The CEF supports businesses in the traditional & emerging sectors, with activities that may include but are not limited to the following:
- Tourism (attractions, accommodations, health tourism, eco-tourism)
- Agriculture
- Agro-processing/Agri-business
- Manufacturing
- Mining
- Energy efficiency and alternative energy solutions
- Services
- Information Communications Technology/Business Process Outsourcing
- Creative Industries (e.g. Animation)
- Retail and Distribution
- Construction of structures (for productive purposes)
- Establishment of crops and livestock enterprises
- Expansion or modification of structures
- Purchase of machinery and equipment
- Purchase of moveable fixed assets
- Permanent working capital
- Rehabilitation of existing enterprises
- Energy conservation and renewable energy
- Tourist attraction and wellness projects
- Working capital &/or fixed asset purchases for enterprises involved in value added activities
- Farming activities
- Production or trade in weapons and munitions
- Violation of fair labour rights
- Illegal activity under Jamaica’s laws or regulations or participating international conventions and agreements
- Production or trade in alcoholic beverages (excluding beer and wine)
- Production or trade in tobacco
- Gambling, casinos and equivalent enterprises
- Production or trade in radioactive materials not including medical equipment
- Production or trade in un-bonded asbestos fibres with asbestos content more than 20 percent
- Drift net fishing in the marine environment using nets in excess of 2.5 km in length
- Production or activities involving harmful or exploitative forms of forced labour /harmful child labour
- Commercial logging operations for use in primary tropical moist forest
- Production or trade in wood or other forestry products other than sustainably managed forests
In addition, the CEF may not be used for projects that are:
- Likely to have significant adverse environmental impacts
- Illegal under Jamaica country laws, regulations or ratified international conventions & agreements.
- Involves solely refinancing of debt
- Real estate
- Purchase of land for residential development & use
N.B Some projects may require approvals from the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and Parish Councils, See NEPA listing attached. Click here
- Revolving lines of credit
- Foreign exchange currency loans
- Residential housing development projects
An annual fee of 2% plus GCT is payable on the amount guaranteed.