THE Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), with support from the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA), has been hosting a series of workshops geared towards developing the skills of local entrepreneurs.

The most recent workshop, a casual bag workshop, had Mihoko Sasaki, a senior volunteer assigned to JBDC’s fashion and textile department, assisting participants with different decorative techniques to make the bags.

Sasaki, who is from Japan, and who has been sewing on her own for 28 years, said the workshop participants learned hand embroidery, beading and smocking to incorporate in their various bag creations.

The three-week workshop ended August 21.

Colin Porter, manager of technical services at JBDC, said because of the importance placed on bags in the fashion industry, the workshop was done to improve the skills of participants who were already making bags of their own.

“Bags are important accessories in the fashion world. We agreed to help some designers improve the collection of their clothing and we think that giving attention to accessories as well is also very important and so she (Sasaki) decided to look at the bags as one particular product to focus on helping people to improve their skills and techniques from just basic stitching to various hand processes,” Porter said.

Sasaki said the participants were receptive.

“I preferred to give individual instruction to ensure each person grasped the technique, so I asked them to come early and they showed up. I also gave homework so I could check to see if they got it right before I continued,” Sasaki said.

Porter added that with the support from the JICA, the workshop was supplied with materials like sewing machines so that each participant had a work station of their own.

Deputy chief executive officer for JBDC, Harold Davis, said entrepreneurship is the way Jamaica will achieve prosperity by increasing its earnings..

“Our economy is shrinking, so the only way to grow is through entrepreneurship. Other countries that have done well have done so on the back of entrepreneurship. This is the only way we’re going to really grow and prosper,” Davis said.

He added that the JBDC explores new opportunities and new areas where there is a competitive advantage as well as niche markets in old industries that can lead towards competitiveness.

“We want to develop the capacity of entrepreneurs or potential entrepreneurs to take advantage of initiatives that will present themselves,” he said.

Participants have left the workshops with the ability to finish their business plans and broker business agreements with various financial institutions. They have also gained access to marketability through the JBDC’s Things Jamaican store.