The Release School Tour Supports Local MSMEs and Student Entrepreneurs

Caribbean television network, The Release, has announced its 5th staging of The Release School Tour, scheduled for March 2024. This year’s tour is themed “Build Jamaica, Buy Jamaican: Supporting Jamaican MSMEs,” to nurture local and student-owned businesses throughout the island.

The initiative seeks to empower and promote the growth of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Jamaica, aligning with the national agenda of economic development and sustainability. By encouraging the support of Jamaican-made products and services, the tour aims to bolster the local economy and create opportunities for budding entrepreneurs.

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The Release, a Caribbean television show dedicated to showcasing the best in entertainment and lifestyle, proudly announces the 5th staging of The Release School Tour, set for March 2024. Evolving from its former incarnation, The Release Innovation Tour, this year’s theme, “Build Jamaica, Buy Jamaican: Supporting Jamaican MSMEs,” aims to foster a thriving ecosystem for local and student-owned businesses across the island.

In a strategic move to enhance interaction and participation, the tour has been rescheduled from its usual October-November timeline to March. In partnership with seven leading colleges across Jamaica, The Release will orchestrate pop-up shops and performances combined with live radio broadcasts from Irie FM and social media promotion from several bloggers and vloggers. This innovative approach is designed as a wholesome shopping experience combined with a high-energy concert where students can shop and vibe simultaneously.

Tour dates and locations:

• University of Technology (St. Andrew) – Thursday, March 14
• Bethlehem Moravian College (St. Elizabeth) – Friday, March 15
• Portmore Community College (St. Catherine) – Thursday, March 21
• St. Joseph Teachers College (St. Andrew) – Friday, March 22
• Excelsior Community College (St. Andrew) – Tuesday, March 19
• Mico University (Kingston) – Tuesday, March 26
• College of Agriculture, Science & Education (Portland) – Wednesday, March 27

In today’s fluctuating economic landscape, supporting local businesses is paramount. Recent statistics from the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ), reveal that over 69,000 active companies and more than 200,000 businesses are registered in Jamaica. These figures underline the critical role of MSMEs in bolstering the Jamaican economy and the shared responsibility to strengthen and cultivate this vital sector.

Talisa Taylor, Founder of The Release, stated, “In our current economic climate, it’s crucial to support local businesses. This tour is our way of doing just that. We are offering reasonable packages for vendors, particularly those without a storefront, to showcase their products and services. It’s about building Jamaica by buying Jamaican, supporting our MSMEs, and nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit among our youths”.

All interested vendors, including local and student-owned businesses, are encouraged to participate in this celebration of Jamaican entrepreneurship and innovation. For more details or to join, contact us at (876) 833-5444. The Release School Tour is more than an event; it’s a movement towards fostering a supportive community for Jamaica’s MSMEs and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs. Join us this March as we traverse the island, spotlighting the pinnacle of Jamaican talent and enterprise.