The workshops are part of a memorandum of understanding signed by CB Group and SDC to consolidate a partnership to benefit participants in the annual CB Pan Chicken Championship.

The workshops will be held on October 22, 29 and November 5.

Denise Gocul, marketing operations and special projects manager, JNBS, said the initiative falls within the society's broad mandate "to contribute to the empowerment of entrepreneurs".

She said, as a sponsor of the CB Pan Chicken Championship, Jamaica National will assist participants with information and resources, the core of what the Society does as a financial organisation. Each seminar will provide participants with relevant information about the importance of savings and other financial products offered by Jamaica National.

Access funding

"Additionally, representatives from our subsidiary, JN Small Business Loan Limited, will provide information and resources for entrepreneurs to access funding to support their small business," she pointed out.

Alicia Bogues, brand manager, CB Foods Ltd, said the Pan Chicken Championships have evolved into more than simply a competition for the participants.

In a strategic move, the workshops will be hosted in the three parishes where the regional pan-chicken eliminations are being held. "We are also planning to host a fourth workshop to cater specifically to the finalists in this year's Pan Chicken Championship," she added.

The SDC will be charged with reaching out to community stakeholders in the areas where the seminars will be held, to ensure the widest possible participation of targeted entrepreneurs.

Avril Ranger, director, community development planning, SDC, said, "This partnership will assist us to achieve our efforts at capacity building and provide direct support to community-based groups and persons involved in the development of small businesses."

The local economic support programme is one of eight such programmes being implemented by the SDC in communities across Jamaica. Its objective is to stimulate economic development in communities where participants reside.