Small and medium sized enterprises (SME) have until next January to access grant funding under the Quality Jamaica Project (QJP), to implement Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and International Organization for Standar-dization (ISO) 9000 and 14000 standards.

These quality management systems are considered to be the global standard for product quality and safety. They contribute to making the development, manufacturing and supply of products and services more efficient, safer and cleaner.

"The deadline to catch us is January 2007. We are encouraging businesses that are currently trying to put any of these systems in place to contact us so as to access grant funds of up to $250,000 (US$3,750)", said Sheryl Mullings, manager for QJP's Match Grant Funding programme.

It gets more difficult

"As you know, it is getting more and more difficult to penetrate markets such as Europe without the requisite certification," she pointed out.

Ms. Mullings said that a few weeks ago, 10 small and medium-sized companies, mainly from the food processing sector, received grants. Among them are Spike Industries, Pioneer Meats, Tijule Company Limited, Jam Guy Food Processors and McLas Foods Limited.

She informed that in order to qualify for grants, companies must start putting certain things in place. "Each company must be a legal entity registered in Jamaica, must have no more than 100 employees and annual sales should be less than US$3 million."

The Quality Jamaica Project is an initiative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the government of Jamaica and is being monitored by the Bureau of Standards Jamaica.

Business operators interested in accessing funds should call the Bureau of Standards office at 926-3140-5.